Thalictrum aquilegiifolium 'Thundercloud'
French meadow rue 'Thundercloud'
An upright, herbaceous perennial to 90cm in height, with mid-green leaves composed of small, obovate leaflets. Branched stems produce large fluffy heads of small, dark rose pink-purple flowers in early summer
Synonyms
Thalictrum aquilegiifolium 'Purple Cloud'Thalictrum delavayi 'Thundercloud'
see moreThalictrum aquilegiifolium Purple Cloud

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Pink Purple | Green | ||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Contact with foliage may irritate the skin. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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 moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or in early spring. Propagate by division in spring as new growth begins
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Prairie planting
- Wildflower meadow
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Cut down stems once flowering is over
Pests
Slugs may be a problem
Diseases
May be subject to powdery mildews in dry conditions
Get involved
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