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Herbaceous Perennial

Thalictrum diffusiflorum

diffuse-flowered meadow rue

One of the largest flowering species with wiry stems and bluish-green leaves composed of leaflets; bicoloured lavender and yellow flowers 4cm wide, are held in sprays and borne in early to midsummer

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

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
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: Correct
Plant range: SW China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial shade. May need staking. See staking perennials for further advice.

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

Gravel garden
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down stems once flowering is over

Pests

Slugs may be a problem

Diseases

Susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions

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