Meadow Rue

Meadow Rue is a plant that will make a welcome addition to any garden. Remember that these are large plants that grow up to six feet tall, so you can use them as a backdrop to smaller plants.

They look extremely attractive with large and fluffy flower heads that are extremely charming. There are many species and varieties available, so you have quite a wide choice of colors, ranging from pastel shades of lilac and pink to a more showy purple, as well as simple looking but still exquisitely beautiful whites and yellows.

The foliage is also very attractive, with beautiful blue-green leaves. Even the shape and texture of the very leaves themselves can vary from species to species, ranging from the wide purple-shaded leaves of the Japanese varieties, to 'fine' meadow rue, with leaves that are really slim leaflets, almost fern like.

This gives you some idea of the variety available, so when you plant Meadow Rue, be sure to consider this and choose a variety that will go best with the other plants around it, and which will not look at all out of place in your garden.

The variety available means that you will be sure to find one that will fit in with the 'theme' of your garden, and Meadow Rue does especially well with plants that flower in the spring.

Plant perennials that are shorter than this plant around it, and create a plant-scape that looks original and truly beautiful.

How to space this plant

This plant is not only tall, but will also spread out to a considerable extent, and should therefore be planted with this in mind. As mentioned earlier, shorter perennials around it will not only beautify the surroundings of the plant, but just as importantly, allow it the room it needs to spread out and grow, and to appear to the best advantage.

I cannot over-stress this point – remember when you buy this plant that any plant purchased from a nursery will probably be relatively young and therefore might be rather small at the time you buy it.

Keep in mind when you transfer Meadow Rue to your garden that this plant will grow to the height of a tall adult human and, depending on the species, can spread out up to four feet.

You must not plant it close than that minimum distance to any plant or tree that can match it for height and will crowd it, cause its branches to be pushed to one side, and generally detract from the beauty of the plant. Give this plant the space to grow and it will be a true ornament to your garden.

Growing the plant

Meadow Rue evolved in marshes, and will do very well if you keep the ground moist, and use mulch to protect the roots from the heat. Generally speaking, you should keep in mind its native habitat and try to replicate it as accurately as possible. Meadow Rue will tolerate many grasses as neighbors, and indeed if you wish different plants to flourish well together, you cannot do better than to source them from the same environment.

Propagation

The seeds of this plant are best put in the ground either in spring, or failing that, in late summer. Remember that this plant will take years to establish itself properly, sometimes as long as half a decade, and you really should not try to divide it in this time. When the time is right and the plant is well established, you can divide it during the spring.

Summary

Meadow-Rue is one of those wonderful flowers with big round puffy flower heads. they come in lilac, pink, purple, white and yellow. Their leaves are bluish green, open and showy. The entire plant is open and showy I should say.

This gardening shade flower grows to 6 feet and spreads to 2 to 4 feet. It does best in humus rich, moist well drained soil. Bloom time late Spring to early Summer. Blooms will last up to 2 months.

Propagation by division or by seeds collected from your flowers can be sown immediately. Seed from a package is less reliable. These shade tolerant flowers don't like to be moved, so be careful when dividing.

There are many to choose from, color, foliage, flower shape and height. The leaves differ as well, check your catalogs for the one for your garden.

A rich humus soil, well drained. Mulch Spring and Fall to keep the roots moist in Summer and to protect in the Winter

More Photos of Meadow Rue

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Meadow Rue - Lavender Mist

Meadow Rue Lavender Mist, Thalictrum rochebrunianum 'Lavender Mist', is tall and deer resistant. Thalictrum 'Lavender Mist' will produce an impressive backdrop for a natural looking, wildflower garden with its open airy habit. In mid to late summer, 'Lavender Mist' produces lavender-purple flowers that grow on strong, self-supporting dark purple stems over low mounds of green foliage. A beautiful addition to any landscape! 'Lavender Mist' likes humusy soil, moist and well draining, in dappled sunlight. It is highly intolerant of humid heat so probably not worth attempting in south since it is intolerant of intense heat and humidity. Deadhead to prolong blooming season. May require support during flowering. Best used in borders, meadows and naturalized areas. Most attractive when mass planted.

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