Thalictrum dioicum

Early Meadow Rue is an easy to grow native perennial wildflower in the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family with lacy gray-green compound leaves which resemble the genus Aquilegia (columbine) and this plant is often confused with Columbine or the Adiantum genus (Maidenhair Fern).  It is found naturally in seepages and moist forests. 

It is a dioecious plant, meaning there are plants that contain male flowers, and separate plants with female flowers. It blooms in early spring, just as the leaves are coming out on the trees, which accounts for its common name. It's scientific name comes in part by dioicum which is Greek meaning "of two houses" referring to the flower sexes being on different plants. In bloom, the plant contains panicles of tiny, drooping, greenish-white petal-less flowers that hang like small tassels with a purple tinge which appear in late spring (April-May). The male flower has yellow stamens and female flower has purple pistils. 

Plant in average to rich well-drained soil in the full sun to dappled or partial shade.  Its gray-green leaves provide a great backdrop to other later flowering perennials and it looks attractive in a border front, in a meadow or cutting garden or naturalized area of the landscape. This plant is pollinated by the wind. It is heat and humidity sensitive and dies back in the middle of summer.  After the plant dies back, low basal leaves develop during the fall.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  Older plants may need to be staked to stay upright.