Thalictrum speciosissimum

Also Known As

Thalictrum flavum 'Glaucum'
Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum
Thalictrum flavum subsp. glaucum
Thalictrum sphaerostachyum
False Rhubarb
Meadow Rue
MEADOW RUE
Yellow Chinese Meadow Rue
Yellow Meadow Rue

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 5'-7'
W: 2'-3'

planting zones

4a-9b

More Options

Thalictrum speciosissimum plant details

Thalictrum speciosissimum is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with blue and green foliage. In fall and summer cream and yellow flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Thalictrum speciosissimum

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: ranunculaceae
Foliage: deciduous blue and green
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 5 FT - 7 FT - tall
Flowers: cream and yellow blooms in fall and summer
Uses: border plant, cutting garden, fall color

GROWING CONDITIONS for Thalictrum speciosissimum

USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - low

Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

?An indispensable plant for blue and yellow planting schemes? (G. S. Thomas); blue-green divided leaves on 3-4' stalks are valuable for cutting all season with fluffy heads of lemon-yellow an added beauty in early summer; stoloniferous. S-PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

This Meadow Rue boasts 'sky high' upright stems to 7' decorated with ferny, steely blue foliage with a slim, 18" silhouette! Stems are crowned in early summer with frothy, pastel yellow clouds of bloom that contrast beautifully with the leaves. Sun to light shade, average garden soil and water needs. Interplant it with supportive partners to help hold up the laden stems!

By: Secret Garden Growers

Puffy lemon yellow clouds of blossoms float on 5-6' stems in mid-late summer, with delicate blue green maidenhair fern like foliage. This Chinese species is similar to Thalictrum flavum, but has bluer foliage and blooms later in the season. Like all Meadow Rues it enjoys a rich moist soil, in full sun or partial shade

By: Avant Gardens

An outstanding plant for the back of the shade border with powdery blue foliage and stems with creamy yellow flower sprays over a long period. Foliage and flowers are good for cutting.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

You will never

By: Digging Dog Nursery

The large mounds of steely blue, fern-like foliage, of this clump forming, winter dormant perennial, are an exceptional foil for bold flowers such as Hemerocallis, Canna and Kniphofia, and are the perfect companion for the purple leaves of Eucomis 'Oakhurst' and Clematis recta 'Purpurea'. Luscious, fat shoots of purple tinted new leaves in spring and explosions of sulphur yellow flowers in mid summer, make this North African native yet more garden worthy.

By: Zephs

This Meadow Rue is set apart from its kin by having sizeable heads of soft yellow flowers in early summer. The fact that it has blue-green foliage is just gravy. We haven't had the need to stake ours on our windswept sunny border which is great because we truly hate staking plants.