- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- fruit
- use
- Edible
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- The right planting distance
- What is the best planting time?
- Propagating meadow rue
- sowing
- cuttings
- Meadow rue in a pot
- Pour meadow rue
- Fertilize meadow rue properly
- Cut meadow rue correctly
- How do I plant correctly?
- hibernate
- lice
- fungus
- sorts
The meadow rue has a large distribution area. Their demands on the location make them ideal ornamental plants for the garden. They beautify corners of the garden that are avoided by other plants. With the right care, meadow rue will delight you with romantic blossoms for years to come.
The meadow rue thrives best in partial shade
Table of Contents
Show all- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- fruit
- use
- Edible
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- The right planting distance
- What is the best planting time?
- Propagating meadow rue
- sowing
- cuttings
- Meadow rue in a pot
- Pour meadow rue
- Fertilize meadow rue properly
- Cut meadow rue correctly
- How do I plant correctly?
- hibernate
- lice
- fungus
- sorts
- gold flask
- Rodgersia
- ornamental grasses
- Fill the freezer bag with sand
- Scatter in the seeds and seal the bag
- Store in the fridge for four to six weeks
- Check the moisture of the substrate regularly
- wrap with foil
- Equip the gaps with straw and leaves
- Place bucket on a block of wood
- China meadow rue: Panicle-shaped inflorescences with light purple flowers. Blooms between July and September. Up to 180 centimeters high.
- Magnificent meadow rue: paniculate inflorescences with red-violet flowers. Blooms from July to August. Growth height up to 120 centimeters.
- thundercloud: Blooms from May to July with purple to pink flower spikes. Between 70 and 90 centimeters high.
origin
The genus of meadow rue with the Latin name Thalictrum includes between 120 and 200 species that are distributed worldwide. The buttercup family has its distribution focus in the temperate climate zones. Meadow rue is found in North America, China and Europe. They grow in the lowlands and climb to altitudes of up to 900 meters.
Their shape is reminiscent of aquilegia. Outside the flowering period, meadow rue is easily confused with closely related species. About seven species are cultivated in gardens, including the native columbine meadow-rue, which has the botanical name Thalictrum aquilegif.webpolium.
growth
Meadow rue are herbaceous plants that grow perennial with the help of underground outlasting organs. The rhizomes and tubers can become woody. During their growing season, the plants develop into magnificent perennials that can reach a height of 180 centimeters.
leaves
Thalictrum species develop both basal and true leaves. These are arranged alternately on the stem. The lower leaves are divided into blade and stem. Upper stem leaves are sessile and sit directly on the shoot axis. The leaf blade appears one to four times pinnate. Their leaflets are rounded, heart- or kidney-shaped and deeply incised at the top. A few species form undivided leaf blades.
blossom
Meadow rue form single flowers or inflorescences that can carry between two and 200 small flowers. The inflorescences grow terminally in most species. Their shape is very variable. They can grow up to 40 centimeters long.
The flowers are hermaphroditic or unisexual and appear radially symmetrical. They consist of a simple perianth composed of four to ten bracts. These are inconspicuous greenish-yellow or strikingly purple to pink in color. In many species, the bracts fall off early. The flowering period extends from July to August.
fruit
After flowering, meadow rue develop aggregate fruits containing numerous nutlets. Some of the nuts are beaked. These structures are used for anchoring. The fruits get caught in the fur of animals.
use
The dainty plants are suitable for perennial borders in partially shaded locations. Here, the delicate flowers provide subtle accents. They are well suited as leading perennials, which are bordered with smaller species. Meadow rue cuts a fine figure as a foreground planting of dark trees and shrubs. Meadow rue grows in sunny beds if the soil provides enough moisture.
In gardens that are designed to be close to nature, the native species really comes into its own. It is suitable for planting bee pastures and decorates the banks of garden ponds. The humid microclimate favors the growth of herbaceous plants.
Good neighbors:
Edible
Columbine meadow rue can easily be planted in gardens where children or pets play. The buttercup plant is used to prepare tea.
Which location is suitable?
A place in partially shaded and sunny locations is ideal. Meadows and forest edges come close to the natural habitat. Meadow rue prefer cooler temperatures.
Continue reading
What soil does the plant need?
The plants thrive on a nutrient-rich substrate that has a high proportion of humus. Meadow rue thrive on calcareous soil. They depend on fresh conditions and feel comfortable in high humidity. A dry substrate impairs growth. The Chinese meadow rue has the highest drought tolerance level.
The right planting distance
When planting, orientate yourself on the expected dimensions of the respective species. Each meadow rue has different space requirements. The native species tolerates a distance of at least 40 centimeters to the next specimen.
What is the best planting time?
Thalictrum species are planted in spring when they have developed several leaves. This early planting time gives the buttercups enough time to grow until the first winter.
Propagating meadow rue
Since some meadow rue develop underground rhizomes and stolons with which they reproduce vegetatively, dense stands of plants develop after a few years. These can be dug up and divided in spring to plant in a new location. Alternatively, you can divide the plants in summer immediately after flowering. The division is not required for a taper. Meadow rue are long-lived and become more and more beautiful when they are allowed to grow undisturbed.
sowing
The plants like to sow themselves from seed. These can be used for targeted propagation. This propagation method is more promising than other measures. To do this, collect the nuts in the fall.
Fill a seed tray with a mixture of peat and sand. Scatter the seeds on the substrate and cover them lightly with sand. The soil is then moistened and the planter covered with foil. The seed pot is placed outside in a sheltered spot where it spends the entire winter. Check the substrate moisture regularly. After the cold stimulus, the seeds germinate next spring at temperatures between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius. They need partially shaded conditions.
Cold treatment in the refrigerator:
cuttings
In early summer, you can take cuttings from a vigorous mother plant that are 10 to 15 centimeters long. Remove the bottom leaves and place the shoots in a pot filled with peat and sand. The cuttings will develop fresh roots in a sheltered, partially shaded location.
Meadow rue in a pot
Meadow rue are suitable for planting in tubs if you don't have a garden available. You need a sufficiently large container that is filled with humus substrate. There should be a drainage hole in the bottom. Although meadow rue prefer fresh to moist conditions, the substrate should not become waterlogged. The bucket is placed in a partially shaded location. Meadow rue are not suitable for indoor cultivation. They like airy conditions and high humidity.
Pour meadow rue
Thalictrum species enjoy regular watering so that the substrate offers constantly moist conditions. The plants are sensitive to dry periods. During the summer you should check the substrate regularly. The plants need new water before the top layer of soil dries up. Mulching is difficult to achieve with the delicate plants, as the stems break off quickly.
Fertilize meadow rue properly
The buttercup plants have a medium nutrient requirement. It is sufficient if you put compost on the substrate in spring before the new leaves sprout. You can use the guide value of one to two liters of compost per square meter as a guide. This amount is sufficient for one growing season. The plants do not need to be fertilized again until the following spring.
Cut meadow rue correctly
When the meadow rue has faded, it can be cut back generously. The basal leaves should remain standing so that the plant can maintain its metabolism. After a short time, the plant will sprout again and develop fresh clumps of leaves.
As soon as the above-ground parts of the plant have died in autumn, they can be completely removed. If you do not cut off the withered leaves, they will be decomposed by microorganisms in the soil next spring. This provides the rhizomes with fresh nutrients.
How do I plant correctly?
Since meadow rue can easily be divided, a complete transplant is also possible. This measure is recommended in the spring before fresh leaves appear. Dig the root bulbs out of the ground and plant them in the new location, previously improved with compost. They should be watered thoroughly.
hibernate
The buttercup family does not need any additional protection in winter. The rhizomes are hardy and can withstand double-digit minus temperatures without any problems. If you cultivate the plants in the bucket, you should pay attention to an appropriate winter protection. So that the tubers do not rot, the substrate should not be waterlogged. Protect the bucket from snow and rain.
How to overwinter potted plants:
lice
If the location is too shady or the substrate does not provide enough moisture, aphids will spread on the foliage of the meadow rue. They poke small holes in the fine leaves with their pointed mouthparts to suck out the plant sap. The affected leaves get yellowish spots and die off in the case of a severe infestation.
Aphids can be fought with home-made vegetable decoctions. These are sprayed directly onto the leaves. Nettle manure has a preventive effect against aphid infestation. It strengthens the plant and makes it more resistant to pests. Be careful not to over-fertilize the plants. An excess of nitrogen in the sap makes the plant more attractive to aphids.
fungus
Powdery mildew occasionally spreads under dry and warm conditions. This fungus leaves a velvety turf on the leaves that is easy to wipe off. Affected leaves should be removed to prevent the spores from spreading further. Pay attention to suitable site conditions. Well-aerated plant stocks and a damp microclimate do not offer powdery mildew suitable living conditions.
tips
The shoots of high-growing species break off easily in windy conditions. Instead of an unnatural-looking perennial support, you can place the meadow rhombuses between higher perennials. These act as a natural support and create a harmonious and natural atmosphere.