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Herbaceous Perennial

Thalictrum simplex

simple meadow rue

A clump-forming, deciduous perennial with leaves divided into three-lobed leaflets and unbranched stems bearing loose panicles of tiny flowers comprising purple-green sepals enclosing yellow-tipped stamens

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

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

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

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: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best in a moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Faded flower stems can be cut back in late autumn or in spring before new growth starts emerging

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions

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