Thalictrum flavum ssp glaucum

SILVER MEADOW RUE

Thalictrum flavum ssp glaucum
SILVER MEADOW RUE

Thalictrum flavum ssp glaucum is as much prized for beautiful silver-blue foliage as for it’s clouds of fluffy lemon blooms.
Both the foliage and flower heads are favourites amongst florists.

Clouds of fluffy lemon above striking silver-blue foliage

Thalictrum flavum ssp glaucum erupts with large fluffy clouds of finest lemon-yellow over summer, billowing up to an impressive. 1.2m.
And although each flower is small, the effect of a misty mass of flowers is stunningly beautiful.
They also waft a light, sweet scent across the summer air.
But really it is the silver-blue towers of fine, maiden-hair like foliage that steals the show.

Hardy in Dry Shade

Do not let the lacy appearance of Thalictrum flavum ssp glaucum fool you into believing they are delicate.
Thalictrum are noted for their ability to flourish and flower profusely in shaded gardens.
So Silver Meadow Rue is treasured by gardeners who contend with Dry Shade under trees and shrubs.
Because it can really shine there, with a minimum of water and attention.
So plant it in Part Shade to Full Shade. Though it can tolerate Full Sun in cooler districts, and even more so if well mulched over summer.
It is after all a native of Spain and northern Africa, so well acquainted with hot summers as well as winter frosts.
It is frost hardy down to at least -20C, depending on conditions.

Can tolerate summer humidity as well as dry soil

Thalictrum flavum ssp glaucum also tolerates summer humidity and rains well, making it a very useful shade feature for sub-tropical gardeners too.

Fragrance & cut flowers

The foaming froth of flowers have a delicate scent, and you can cut whole stems of the foamy, misty heads to fill a vase.
Where they make excellent, and long lasting cut flowers.
The cloud of flowers also provides an excellent pollen source for bees during the long summer and autumn flowering season.
And if you leave the last flower heads to go to seed, instead of cutting them down, then the seed heads also provide winter feed for small seed eating birds such as finches.

More mists in the shade

Once established your Thalictrum flavum ssp glaucum will gently self-seed in the garden bed.
But it is not invasive, and volunteer seedlings are always welcome to make more clouds of blossom at the back of the garden bed, or under trees and shrubs.

1.2m. High in clouds of summer flowers x 75cm. Wide of upright ferny fine foliage.
It is a great “see-through” plant.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: Thalictrum flavum ssp glaucum

Sow in autumn, winter & spring in punnets indoors / or scatter in the garden in autumn to early spring.

INDOORS: Sow seed in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then pat the seeds gently onto the mix, to ensure good contact.
But barely cover the seed with mix / vermiculite / fine sandy grit.

Now place the moist, sown punnet in a warm place.
You can use a temperature controlled heat mat if you have one, to provide optimum temperatures, but it is not essential.

Keep the mix moist but not wet by misting from a spray water bottle.
And keep the punnet dark by placing black plastic or cardboard over it.

Temperatures of 20°C are best for rapid and optimum germination.

So keep the punnet moist and covered dark for 3 weeks.
Then wrap the moist punnet in cling wrap (or a plastic bag) & place in fridge (not freezer) for 3 weeks,
Remove from fridge after 3 weeks, unwrap & return to 20C and keep dark until you see germination in approx 14-21 days.

SEED COUNT: 30 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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