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Herbaceous Perennial

Thalictrum delavayi 'Ankum'

Chinese meadow rue 'Ankum'

An erect, clump-forming, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial up to 2m high, with dark purple stems, green leaves, and pyramidal panicles of flowers of soft lilac sepals and creamy stamens and pistils in summer; honeybees visit Thalictrum flowers for pollen

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Green
Summer Purple Cream Purple Green
Autumn Purple Green
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moisture-retentive, humus-rich but well-drained soil in partial shade, and provide support if necessary, for example by growing among shrubs. See staking perennials for further advice.

Propagation

Propagate by division as new growth begins in spring; divisions may be slow to re-establish

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions

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