Create Your Garden

Thalictrum dioicum (Early Meadow Rue)

Early Meadow Rue, Meadow Rue

Thalictrum dioicum,  Early Meadow Rue, Meadow Rue, Yellow Flowers

Blooming early in the season, Thalictrum dioicum (Early Meadow Rue) is a graceful, clump-forming perennial boasting clouds of tiny, nodding, greenish-white flowers in mid to late spring. Hanging like small tassels, the male flowers feature yellowish stamens while the female flowers are adorned with purplish pistils. Resembling Chinese lanterns, they are borne in long-stalked terminal and axillary clusters above the ravishing foliage of lacy, gray-green, compound leaves. Although the delicate blossoms are very attractive, Thalictrum dioicum is grown mostly for its fine-textured foliage which remains attractive from spring through fall. An excellent shade-garden plant.

  • Grows up to 1-2 ft. tall and wide (30-60 cm).
  • Thrives in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Intolerant of hot and humid summers. Dappled shade is preferred.
  • Fits beautifully in any beds of perennial flowers, wildflower gardens, meadows , woodland edges, or naturalized areas. Great for cutting too!
  • Easy to grow, Meadow Rue is generally pest free. Keep an eye out for powdery mildews. Deer resistant.
  • Plant seeds outside in the fall. Seedlings will germinate in one year and bloom in 2-3 years.
  • Native to central and eastern North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 7
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Thalictrum
Common names Meadow Rue
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Kentucky, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
Tolerance Deer
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Thalictrum (Meadow Rue)
Not sure which Thalictrum (Meadow Rue) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Thalictrum flavum subsp. glaucum (Yellow Meadow Rue)
Thalictrum flavum (Yellow Meadow Rue)
Thalictrum ‘Splendide’ (Meadow Rue)
Thalictrum filamentosum (Thread-Like Meadow Rue)
Thalictrum thalictroides (Rue Anemone)
Thalictrum ‘Black Stockings’ (Meadow Rue)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 7
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Thalictrum
Common names Meadow Rue
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Kentucky, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
Tolerance Deer
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Thalictrum (Meadow Rue)
Not sure which Thalictrum (Meadow Rue) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Thalictrum dioicum (Early Meadow Rue) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Thalictrum dioicum (Early Meadow Rue) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone