Overview

Thalictrum delavayi 'Hewitt's Double' is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Thalictrum, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1.2 metres tall. Thalictrum delavayi 'Hewitt's Double' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates well-drained and fertile soils and neutral and slightly acidic pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, cottage gardens and naturalistic plantings. It is native to China.

About

Thalictrum delavayi 'Hewitt's Double' is a herbaceous perennial growing to about 1.2 metres, noted for airy panicles of lilac flowers. It carries finely divided leaves composed of many small leaflets beneath the flower stems. Plant it in full sun or partial shade on fertile, well-drained soil that stays moist and is neutral to slightly acidic. Rated H5, it is classed as hardy for most of the UK and suits borders, cottage gardens and naturalistic plantings.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Thalictrum delavayi

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 delavayi 'Hewitt's Double' belongs to the Ranunculaceae and is native to China; it produces loose panicles of lilac flowers with green or white stamens and flowers from June to August. The species' multiple small leaflets form a fine-textured foliage platform from which upright flowering stems rise to roughly 1.2 metres. Give this cultivar a sunny or partly shaded site in fertile, well-drained soil that retains moisture and is neutral to slightly acidic. H5 hardiness means it is considered hardy across most of the UK; choose a sheltered spot if your garden is exposed to drying winter winds. It works well planted towards the back of mixed herbaceous borders, within cottage-garden schemes or in naturalistic drifts where the tall, airy flower panicles can be seen above lower companions. Position so the base of the stems remains visible; this keeps the delicate leaflets and the June–August flower panicles on clear display and helps the plant read as a vertical element in the border.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Thalictrum

Sunlight

full sun, partial shade

Soil type

well-drained, fertile

Soil pH

neutral, slightly acidic

Soil moisture

moist

Aspect

East-facing, North-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Thalictrum delavayi 'Hewitt's Double' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

herbaceous perennial

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

1.2 metres

Suggested uses

borders, cottage gardens, naturalistic plantings

Native to

China

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Thalictrum delavayi 'Hewitt's Double'

Cultivation

Prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Avoid waterlogged conditions.

Pruning

Cut back to ground level in late winter or early spring.

Propagation

Seed, division in spring

Pest resistance

Slugs

Disease resistance

Powdery mildews

Frequently asked questions

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