Meadow rue

Like a scrim on a theatre stage, the elegant stems and fuzzy flowers of meadow rues create a delicate screen through which to view the rest of the garden. These often-towering plants are grown for their delicate leaves as well as their flower. They lack petals but have delicate and conspicuous stamens and, sometimes, persistent colored sepals that are attractive. Tall species are excellent in the back of a border or midborder in front of shorter but bolder plants, in wild gardens, or among shrubs. Put small species in rock gardens or troughs. Meadow rues prefer lightly shaded spots where soil is humus-rich.

Light:

Sun,Part Sun

Zones:

3-9

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

4 inches to 8 feet tall, depending on variety

Plant Width:

1 to 2-1/2 feet wide, depending on variety

Flower Color:

White, Lavender, Lilac, and Yellow flowers, depending on variety; blue/green leaves depending on variety

Bloom Time:

Blooms late spring and summer, depending on variety

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Cut Flowers,Tolerates Wet Soil,Deer Resistant,Easy to Grow

Top Varieties

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Columbine meadow rue

Thalictrum aquilegiifolium is an airy plant that can be put at the middle of the border in spite of its height. Its branched clusters of fluffy flowers are composed of showy lilac stamens atop 3-foot stems. The columbinelike leaves are bluish green. It is hardy in Zones 5-9.
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'Lavender Mist' meadow rue

Thalictrum rochebruneanum 'Lavender Mist' is a majestic species that bears clouds of lavender-pink flowers in summer over a mound of finely divided foliage. It grows 6 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Zones 5-9
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Thalictrum kiusianum

Thalictrum kiusianum is a shade-loving groundcover with blue-green leaves topped by pinkish flowers in early summer. It grows 4 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Zones 5-8
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'White Cloud' meadow rue

Thalictrum aquilegifolium 'White Cloud' offers soft blue-green foliage and airy clusters of white blooms on 3-foot-tall stems in midsummer. Zones 4-9
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Yellow meadow rue

Thalictrum flavum bears fluffy clusters of yellow flowers on 3-foot-tall stems in summer. Zones 6-9
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Garden Plans

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Garden Plan to Soften a Fence
Shady Side Yard Garden Plan
Side Garden

Plant It With

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Peony

Early and midseason peonies are perfect partners for columbine meadow rue. Their substantial clumps of foliage and sumptuous large flowers are complemented by the airy grace of the meadow rue.

Daylily

Blooming together, pink, lilac, and lavender daylilies are fine companions for 'Lavender Mist' in lightly shaded borders.

Iris

In summer, brilliant violet purple Japanese iris are stunning partnered with yellow meadow rue in light shaded damp borders.

Monkshood

The erect spikes of deep blue flowers of common monkshood bloom at the same time and enjoy similar conditions to yellow meadow rue.

Propagation

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Seed
Division