Botanical Name: Thalictrum aquilegifolium
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Common Name: Columbine Meadow Rue  
Plant photo of: Thalictrum aquilegifolium
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Lavender, Pink

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Half, Shade

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Patio

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Butterflies

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Linda Engstrom

  • Description

  • Notes

Columbine meadow rue is a lovely plant for the shady border. It has columbine-like foliage (hence the species name) and grows in upright clumps to about 36 inches tall, but with a spread of about 18 to 24 inches. In early summer, soft, fluffy flowers appear at the tops of the stalks, in pale pink to lavender. It is a nice cut flower, though they also attract butterflies.
Grow in a loamy, well drained soil in part to full shade, or dappled shade. Cut back in late winter.