Plant DetailShow Menu

Thalictrum dioicum is often confused with:
Adiantum hispidulum Adiantum pedatum, multiple
Aquilegia canadensis Flower
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Phlox maculata Form in native habitat
Viola canadensis Viola canadensis

Early Meadow-rue Thalictrum dioicum

Other Common Name(s):

Description

Early Meadow Rue is an easy to grow native perennial wildflower with lacy green leaves.  It is found naturally in seepages and moist forests. Plant it 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 dioecious, meaning a male and a female plant are needed to produce a set of fruit. This plant is pollinated by the wind. It is heat sensitive and dies back in the middle of summer.

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

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#small spaces#easy to grow#moths#native perennial#cut flowers#meadow#NC native#cutting garden#native wildflower#wildflower garden#naturalized area#early spring flowers#border front#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#mammals#moth larvae#butterflies#audubon
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#small spaces#easy to grow#moths#native perennial#cut flowers#meadow#NC native#cutting garden#native wildflower#wildflower garden#naturalized area#early spring flowers#border front#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#mammals#moth larvae#butterflies#audubon
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Thalictrum
    Species:
    dioicum
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are green and are available May-June.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Showy early spring (March-May) green-white with purple edges. Male flowers with yellow stamens and female flowers have purple pistils.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Lacy delicate gray green leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds