Culture
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, rich, humusy soils in part shade or dappled sun. Needs consistent moisture if grown in full sun. Some tolerance for heat and dryish soils. Taller stems may need staking. Plants may be cut back after bloom if foliage depreciates. Propagate by seed or division.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Thalictrum flavum, commonly called yellow meadow rue, is a rhizomatous, clump-forming perennial of the buttercup family that typically grows on sturdy stems to 2-3’ (less frequently to 5’) tall. It is native to moist grassy habitats, marshes, ditches, river/stream margins and broad-leaved forests in Europe, the Caucasus and Russia. Compound 2-3 pinnate green leaves feature obovate to elliptic 3-4 lobed leaflets (each to 1 ½” wide). Tiny mildly-fragrant apetalous fluffy yellow flowers (each to 3/8” wide) bloom in summer in branched pyramidal panicles (sparsely leaved compound corymbs) to 2-4” wide. Each flower features pale yellow sepals (usually drop early) plus a showy and conspicuous tuft of abundant bright yellow stamens.
Subsp. flavum is the type form. It should be emphasized that subsp. flavum has green leaves, whereas Thalictrum flavum subsp. glaucum (more popular garden form) has glaucous blue leaves.
Genus name comes from the Greek word thaliktron which was a name used by Dioscorides to describe a plant in this genus.
Specific epithet from Latin means yellow in obvious reference to flower color.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Powdery mildew, rust, leaf spot and smut are occasional problems. Watch for slugs and snails.
Uses
This perennial is valued for both its attractive foliage and showy yellow flowers. Best in perennial borders, cottage gardens, meadows, open woodland areas or naturalized areas.