Columbine Meadow Rue Thalictrum aquilegiifolium
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- tha-LIK-trum ak-wil-egg-ee-FOH-lee-um
- Description
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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). Can be easily grown from seed.
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.
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.
Grow in a meadow or naturalized area.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Thundercloud'
- 'Thundercloud'
- 'Thundercloud'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Thundercloud'
- 'Thundercloud'
- 'Thundercloud'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Thalictrum
- Species:
- aquilegiifolium
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Late spring flowers, put in large pots surrounded by smaller border plantings
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, Central Asia
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and Rabbit Resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Ornamental clusters of wing-like seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 6-8 in. of pink powder puff-like flowers in panicles. There are separate male and female plants. The male flowers are much more showy than the female variety. Male flowers are purple, which comes from the profusely purple stamen.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmasect
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Features a basal clump of lacy, fine-textured, compound, bluish-green foliage (resembling columbine or maidenhair fern)
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
- Humidity
