91µ¼º½

Thalictrum flavum subsp. glaucum

RHS Plant Profile
glaucous-leaved yellow meadow rue

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glaucous-leaved yellow meadow rue RHS
glaucous-leaved yellow meadow rue RHS
glaucous-leaved yellow meadow rue RHS

Other common names

spherical-spiked meadow rue

Synonyms

Thalictrum flavum 'Glauca'
Thalictrum sphaerostachyum
Thalictrum speciosissimum
Thalictrum glaucum

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming deciduous perennial about 1m tall, with greyish blue-green stems and leaves to 40cm long that are composed of 3 or 4-lobed leaflets, and in summer large, terminal panicles of fluffy, fragrant, pale sulphur yellow flowers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Contact with foliage may irritate the skin. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Thalictrum can be rhizomatous or tuberous perennials with ternately or pinnately divided, often attractive foliage, and panicles or racemes of small flowers with showy stamens and sometimes large colourful petal-like sepals
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SW Europe to N Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, humus-rich soil, best partial shade but can tolerate drier soil and more sun than many other species. May need staking. See staking perennials for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or in early spring. Propagate by division in spring as new growth begins

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Faded flower stems can be cut back in late autumn or in spring before new growth starts emerging

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions