About
An erect, clump-forming, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial up to 2m high, with dark purple stems, green leaves, and pyramidal panicles of flowers of soft lilac sepals and creamy stamens and pistils in summer; honeybees visit Thalictrum flowers for pollen.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moisture-retentive, humus-rich but well-drained soil in partial shade, and provide support if necessary, for example by growing among shrubs. See staking perennials for further advice.
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division as new growth begins in spring; divisions may be slow to re-establish
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions