Meadow Rue
Thalictrum
Also comes in white and yellow.
Meadow Rue blooms from June through July.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Meadow Rue
Plant it in part shade. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 4–8. Expect it to reach about 3.9 ft tall and 1.6 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.
When to plant Meadow Rue
Plant Meadow Rue in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 4 to 8 range, spring means March to May and fall means August or September. Once settled, it blooms from June to July.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 6 in March.
Good to know about Meadow Rue
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Safety
Treat as mildly toxic: this buttercup-family plant's sap holds protoanemonin, which can redden or blister skin and upset the stomach if eaten. Keep it away from children and pets. per Cornell
Worth knowing
The fluffy, misty flowers have no true petals: the powder-puff look comes from clouds of thread-like stamens and small sepals. per NC State
Does it need staking?
It depends on the species. The tall, wiry stems of the floppy types need support set early, but sturdy-stemmed lavender mist usually stands on its own. per NC State and Missouri Botanical Garden
Deer and rabbit resistant
Deer and rabbits leave it alone: the bitter, alkaloid-rich, faintly acrid buttercup-family foliage is unpalatable to browsers. per NC State
Airy, see-through plant
The narrow, wiry stems and open flower clouds let your eye pass through, so it veils rather than blocks: place it mid-border or at the back. per NC State and Missouri Botanical Garden
Few pests or diseases
A low-trouble perennial with no serious insect or disease problems; only occasional powdery mildew or rust in crowded, humid, poorly ventilated spots. per NC State
Pollen for bees
More a pollen source than a nectar plant: bees gather pollen from the male flowers and butterflies visit, but many species are wind-pollinated. per NC State
What pairs well with Meadow Rue
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Bergenia
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; lower at 1.3 ft, for the front of the border.
Primrose
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border; yellow against purple, for contrast.
Snowdrop
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; low at 5 in, to carpet the ground beneath; its white flowers settle the purple.
Hellebore
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in late winter, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter; lower at 1.3 ft, for the front of the border.
Pansy
Takes part sun to part shade and moderate water; opens in early spring and overlaps into this one's season; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border; echoes the purple.
Flowering Dogwood
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; taller at 23 ft, for the layer behind it; its white flowers settle the purple.
Northern Sea Oats
Shares part shade and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into early fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; orange against purple, for contrast.
Azalea
Shares part shade and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
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