Thalictrum aquilegiifolium

Meadow Rue is a herbaceous perennial in the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family native from Europe to central Asia.  Also known as Columbine Meadow Rue due to its leaves which resemble the genus Aquilegia (columbine) and this plant is often confused with Columbine or the Adiantum genus (Maidenhair Fern).  

Meadow Rue grows in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade but prefers a rich, highly organic soil and dappled sun in the afternoon. It is intolerant of the hot and humid summers of the deep South and would do well in areas of shade in the afternoon during the hot summer months. Can be easily grown from seed. 

Meadow Rue features a basal grouping of lacy, fine-textured, compound, bluish-green leaves arranged opposite. Flowers bloom in dense panicles on upright branches in late spring to early summer. Due to it's upright form, it is popular for large planters and containers, surrounded by smaller border plantings.  Plant stems usually do not require staking or other support.  There are separate male and female plants.  The lilac-purple male flowers (from purple stamens) are much showier than the female ones of white and are held in powder puff like panicles 6 or 8" wide. The cultivar 'Thundercloud' has deep purple flowers.  The effect of mass plantings of the male bloom are very showy.

The flowers give way to ornamental clusters of wing-like seeds, lengthening the season of interest for this plant.  Sow seed in soil in the fall when they are fresh.  Divide the plants as new growth appears in spring. They are deer and rabbit resistant.