Thalictrum dioicum - EARLY MEADOW RUE

Beautiful shade perennial with fine, fern-like leaves. Early Meadow Rue forms nice regular clumps and is neither too big nor too small. The flowers are greenish-white and not too showy, blooming in drooping panicles. The leaves are highly ornamental and remind one of columbine or maiden-hair fern.

This perennial is valuable in shade gardens, partially because it covers spring ephemerals as they are dying back (Trillium, Sanquinaria, Mertensia). Other good combinations are with Aquilegia canadensis, Asarum, Penstemon smallii, Penstemon calycosus, Phlox divaricata, Iris cristata, Polemonium reptans, Polygonatum, Stylophorum diphyllum, grasses like Carex, Hystrix patula, Chasmantium latifolium or ferns.

Good non-native common perennial companions are Bergenia, Epimedium, Hosta or Hakonechloa and Carex.

Blooming Time: April-May
Size: 2’ tall and wide
USDA Zones: 3 to 7
Culture: half shade, dappled shade, shade, loam, clay loam, average soil enriched with some compost or other organic material or decaying leaves. It can grow in the full sun with enough moisture. Doesn’t like hot and humid climates, so the best place for it is in a cooler spot under the canopy.
Moisture Needs: medium-dry, medium, medium-moist
Origin: native wildflower to Central and eastern North America, from the Dakotas east to the coastal states and Quebec and south to the Appalachians. Naturally grows on wooded slopes, in rich mesic woodlands, wooded clay slopes, ravines or ledges, close to limestone rock.
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes. White tailed-deer may occasionally browse on leaves.
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: host plant for the caterpillars of several moths (Canadian Owlet, Borer Moth sp., Straight-Lined Looper Moth)
Attracts Hummingbirds: no
Pot Size: 3.5" x 4" perennial pot (1.22 pt/580 ml)