Thalictrum del. 'Splendide' (Meadow-rue)

About

Thalictrum del. 'Splendide' is a meadow-rue cultivar in the buttercup family, valued for its airy inflorescences composed of numerous long stamens rather than petals. Leaves are typically bipinnately divided and often show a glaucous blue-green tone. It flowers in the UK from June to August, producing loose, cloud-like sprays above the foliage. Suits positions that remain shaded or seasonally damp.

About the genus

Thalictrum is a genus of 120–200 species of herbaceous perennial flowering plants in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae, native mostly to temperate regions. Meadow-rue is a common name for plants in this genus.

Wikipedia contributors, "Thalictrum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Thalictrum

In the garden

Thalictrum del. 'Splendide' belongs to the genus Thalictrum in the family Ranunculaceae, a group of herbaceous perennials native mainly to temperate regions. Members of the genus commonly have bipinnately divided leaves and small apetalous flowers made conspicuous by many long stamens; those general characters describe what to expect from this cultivar. Flowering occurs from June to August, when the plant bears loose, airy panicles of stamens that give a misted effect over the bed. Choose a site that reproduces its natural preference for shade or dampness: a sheltered border, woodland edge or a moist bank are appropriate locations. Keep the soil on the moist side rather than dry; a consistently damp site will support regular flowering and maintain the blue-green tone of the foliage. Light dappled shade is preferable to relentless sun, which can stress the divided leaves. Use Thalictrum del. 'Splendide' where its cloud-like flowerheads can be seen but not crowded — behind lower perennials or beside a path where movement in the stems will be visible. Expect the airy clusters of stamens to ripple in the breeze from June to August, creating seasonal movement and texture in shady parts of the garden.

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