Beloved for its foliage just as much as for its delicate, airy flower clusters, meadow rue is a wonderful plant for adding eye-catching texture to the garden from spring through fall. This easy-to-grow perennial has petite, columbine-like leaves. Its foliage is compact and tidy while its flower stems tend to be pleasingly wayward and frothy.
There are many different species of meadow rue. They vary in size, hardiness, and bloom time. Some species stand a lofty 8 feet tall while others hug the ground and are at home in alpine gardens and near the front of a garden bed. The foliage color varies from chartreuse to grass-green to striking shades of blue-green. Meadow rue is slow to emerge from the soil in late spring. The nectar of the flowers attracts bees, including honeybees, and butterflies.
Meadow Rue Overview
Where to Plant Meadow Rue
Plant meadow rue in a location with partial shade where the soil is moist. The pH requirements vary by species but generally most prefer acidic soil.
True to its common name, meadow rue is at home in meadow and woodland settings where its loose, open structure will be enjoyed. It is also a great plant for rain gardens and pollinator patches. Plant tall varieties of meadow rue along the back of a flower border, creating an airy backdrop for other perennials. Add low-growing meadow rue to rock gardens, provided they have moist, rich soil.
How and When to Plant Meadow Rue
Plant meadow rue in the spring so it has the entire growing season for the roots to grow.
Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the nursery container and about the same depth. Place the plant in the hole and fill in original soil to the top of the root ball. Gently tamp down the soil and water it well. Keep it well-watered in the absence of rain.
Spacing depends on the variety; about 12 inches for small, compact varieties, and 4 to 6 feet for tall varieties.
Meadow Rue Care Tips
Meadow rue is a low-maintenance perennial.
Light
Meadow rue grows best in part or dappled shade. At the northern end of its zone spectrum, it can tolerate full sun if the soil is naturally rich and constantly moist.
Soil and Water
The soil should mimic that of the rich, moist soil of woodlands, which is the native habitat of many meadow rue species. Woodland soil is typically acidic, and most meadow rue varieties do best with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0 but others also tolerate a higher pH up to 8.0. Before you plant meadow rue, add organic matter to the soil if needed.
Meadow rue can grow in average garden soil as long as it provides medium moisture. During dry spells, however, the plant should be watered regularly.
Temperature and Humidity
Most meadow rue grows in a temperate climate. The winter hardiness varies with the species; some are hardy as far north as Zone 3. Extreme summer heat and humidity, on the other hand, are not suitable for the plant.
Fertilizer
Meadow rue generally does not require fertilizer if it was planted in rich soil. If your soil is poor, add a completed balanced slow-release fertilizer once each spring, following product label instructions.
Pruning
Deadheading the flowers won’t always extend the bloom but for a neater look and sturdier growth habit you can cut back the spent flower sprays.
In the spring or fall, cut the plant back to ground level.
Potting and Repotting Meadow Rue
Meadow rue looks best in the landscape and the taller varieties are not suitable for container growing as they can topple over. If you want to grow a shorter variety in a pot, select a pot with large drainage holes and fill it with a combination of well-draining potting mix and organic matter such as compost. Keep in mind that potted plants need more frequent watering and fertilization than garden plants.
Although meadow rue is winter-hardy in cold climates, when grown in pots, their roots are exposed to the cold. Winterize the pots by sinking the container in the ground or by placing it in a second, larger pot to create a planting silo that will insulate the roots from the cold.
Meadow rue is a slow grower and will only need repotting every few years when the roots have filled the pot.
Pests and Problems
Meadow rue is seldom affected by serious pests or diseases. Powdery mildew is common. Slugs and snails may feed on the leaves. The plant is rarely browsed by deer.
How to Propagate Meadow Rue
Propagating meadow rue by division is preferable over starting it from seed because the germination is lengthy and finicky. Plants that are at least three years old and established can be divided in the spring. Dig out the clump with a shovel and separate it into smaller sections. Replant the sections in suitable locations at the same depth as the original plant and keep them well-watered until established.
Types of Meadow Rue
Low Meadow Rue
This meadow rue, which is native to Europe, Africa, and Asia, has greenish-yellow flowers on attractive gray-green foliage in late spring. It grows 1 to 3 feet tall and wide. A popular cultivar is Thalictrum minus ‘Adiantifolium’ with leaves that resemble those of maidenhair fern, hence its other common name, fern leaf meadow rue. Zone 3-7
Columbine Meadow Rue
Thalictrum aquilegiifolium grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide with pink and purple-lavender flowers in late spring to early summer. It is native to Europe and Central Asia. Zone 5-8
Yellow Meadow Rue
The native range of Thalictrum flavum subsp. glaucum is Spain and northwestern Africa. It has yellow flowers in cloud-like sprays in the summer. The foliage is fern-like and serrated. It grows 4 to 6 feet tall and spreads 2 to 3 feet. Zone 3-9
Lavender Mist Meadow Rue
Thalictrum rochebrunianum is native to Japan. It has lavender-purple flowers in mid- to late summer and grows 4 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide, Zone 4-7
Early Meadow Rue
This is a native meadow rue found in the eastern United States and Canada. Thalictrum dioicum is a low-growing variety only 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. It has drooping, purple-tinged greenish-white flowers in late spring. Zone 4-7
Chinese Meadow Rue
Thalictrum delavayi is valued for its lacy, fine-textured foliage and panicles of lilac flowers in summer, It grows up to 5 feet tall. A popular cultivar is 'Hewitt's Double' with tiny, fully double lilac flowers and pale yellow stamens. Zone 4-7
Meadow Rue Companion Plants
Heath and Heather
Both heaths and heathers are evergreen, well-mannered, and low-maintenance plants that thrive in similar conditions of sunlight, water, and soil. The only difference is their winter hardiness—heaths are typically hardy in hardy in Zones 5 to 7, sometimes even lower, whereas heathers are mostly hardy in Zone 7 to 9. They add a low-maintenance jolt of color and interest to the landscape, regardless of the season.
Hellebore
Even after their petals have dropped, the exquisite bowl- or saucer-shaped flowers of hellebores remain on the plant for several months. The plants are deer-resistant and mostly evergreen. They need to be planted in the shade where the soil remains moist. There are numerous hybrids in an ever-expanding range of colors. Zone 4-9
Dutchman's Breeches
Dutchman's-breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) are easy to recognize by their distinctive blooms which resemble white trousers. This spring flower for shade needs a constantly moist, but well-drained, soil to thrive. Zone 3-7
Garden Plans for Meadow Rue
Garden Plan to Soften a Fence
PHOTO: MAVIS AUGUST TORKE
Backyard fences are functional, but not always the prettiest thing to look at. This garden plan will help draw attention away from the harsh lines of fence posts and slats with a mix of favorite flowers in shades of pink and purple, set off by foliage with complementary hues and textures. Most of the plants in this design are perennials, including meadow rue.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is rue the same as meadow rue?No, rue (Ruta graveolens) is a different species and not related to any of the species in the meadow rue genus, Thalictrum. Rue has attractive, lacy blue-green foliage but is toxic and can cause allergic reactions similar to poison ivy. It is more valuable for a butterfly garden because it is a host plant for the black swallowtail, giant swallowtail, and other butterflies.
No, rue (Ruta graveolens) is a different species and not related to any of the species in the meadow rue genus, Thalictrum. Rue has attractive, lacy blue-green foliage but is toxic and can cause allergic reactions similar to poison ivy. It is more valuable for a butterfly garden because it is a host plant for the black swallowtail, giant swallowtail, and other butterflies.
- Does meadow rue need staking?Usually, only tall varieties need staking. Stake the plants in midsummer to prevent the heavy bloom stalks from toppling over, or plant 3 meadow rue plants together and allow the stems to support each other.
Usually, only tall varieties need staking. Stake the plants in midsummer to prevent the heavy bloom stalks from toppling over, or plant 3 meadow rue plants together and allow the stems to support each other.