Meadow rue (lat. Thalictrum) belongs to the buttercup family, as does the distantly related columbine. With its mostly pastel-colored flowers, it adorns natural gardens or perennial beds and looks particularly good against the dark background of shrubs or yew trees.
The meadow rue is somewhat sensitive to wind
The best location and the right soil
Most varieties of meadow rue like a sunny to partially shaded location. The soil should be fresh or even moist, humus and preferably a little calcareous. The meadow rue usually does not tolerate drought particularly well. In nature, it can often be found at the edges of forests or in partially shaded meadows. She likes high humidity and rather low temperatures.
Which meadow rue is the right one?
With around 130 species, the choice is certainly not easy, but not all meadow rue are equally suitable for cultivation in the garden. As a gardener, for example, you can choose between white, yellow and pink to violet shades when it comes to the color of the flowers. And the flower shape also varies between the classic flower, similar to the clematis, and a flower reduced to the stamens, which appears feathery and light.
If you cannot offer the meadow rue or Thalictrum, as the plant is called in Latin, the ideal location or the right soil, then ask the nursery or your specialist retailer which of the offered varieties best suits your conditions.
The care of the meadow rue
Division is not necessary to rejuvenate the meadow rue. However, the plant can be propagated quite easily. The best time for this is spring. Alternatively, this is also possible directly after flowering in summer.
During a longer dry period or on dry soil, you should water the meadow rue regularly. If you live in a windy area, give it a little support so the wind doesn't break it or lay it on the ground.
The essentials in brief:
- Location: sunny to semi-shady
- Soil: humic, fresh to moist
- Flowering period: July to August
- high humidity
- rather low temperatures
- somewhat sensitive to wind
tips
If you want to multiply your existing meadow rue, then divide plants in spring or immediately after flowering.