Thalictrum Species, Columbine Meadow-Rue, French Meadow Rue, Greater Meadow-Rue, Siberian Columbine

Thalictrum aquilegifolium

Family
Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Thalictrum (tha-LIK-trum)
Species
aquilegifolium (ak-wil-egg-ee-FOH-lee-um)
Synonym
Thalictrum aquilegiifolium
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Rose/Mauve
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Juneau, Alaska

Willow, Alaska

Clayton, California

Crescent City, California

San Francisco, California

Twin Falls, Idaho

Bolingbrook, Illinois

Evanston, Illinois

Mount Prospect, Illinois

Indianapolis, Indiana

Ames, Iowa

Barbourville, Kentucky

Onekama, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota(2 reports)

Arnold, Missouri

Grandview, Missouri

Ithaca, New York

Wallkill, New York

Brookpark, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Grove City, Ohio

Medina, Ohio

Eugene, Oregon

MOUNT HOOD PARKDALE, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Osceola, Pennsylvania

Quakertown, Pennsylvania

Christiana, Tennessee

Arlington, Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

Freeland, Washington

Kalama, Washington

Huntington, West Virginia

Madison, Wisconsin

Muscoda, Wisconsin

Waterloo, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

10
positives
3
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
C
ROSLINDALE, MA | April 2016 | neutral

Performs better in light shade than in full sun. It prefers consistently moist soil and is definitely not suitable for xeriscaping.
...Read More

C
Arnold, MO | April 2016 | positive

Yes it has beautiful, graceful leaves (even finer than columbine's, which mine is growing next to). Yes, the blossoms are captivating. ...Read More

A
(Zone 6b) | January 2016 | positive

Thalictrum aquilegifolium is native here in Austria, but its also a good plant for shady parts in the garden!

M
Whidbey Island, WA (Zone 8b) | August 2013 | positive

It did well for me for only a year, then was smaller last year, and this year didn't come back. Too much sand and not enough water is my ...Read More

U
Central, MD (Zone 7a) | May 2013 | positive

This a wonderful plant. I only have one and it has never seeded. I was shocked to see it listed as possibly invasive. Truth be told, I...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | July 2011 | positive

Foliage looks very much like columbine, but stays fresher looking all season. Airy pink blooms, in May-June in my garden.

S
(Zone 6a) | March 2006 | positive

Grows about 4-5 feet tall in my part sun garden and has very nice heads of pink flowers which look like clouds. Very nice in the spring g...Read More

L
Ithaca, NY (Zone 5b) | November 2004 | positive

I don't even remember planting this, but each year when it comes up beside the house in the corner garden, it puts on such a delightful s...Read More

P
(Zone 8b) | August 2004 | neutral

A perennial plant giving flowers in spring and early summer. It likes full Sun and a moist humus-rich soil. Propagate by the division of ...Read More

L
| June 2004 | positive

It's taken three years to get this plant to flower (probably because I don't usually water my garden) and it still only has two flower he...Read More

M
Saint Paul, MN | May 2004 | positive

This is the easiest of the Thalictrums to grow. It can even be invasive. But, imagine a world taken over by T. aquilegifolium.... If y...Read More

L
Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) | September 2003 | positive

This plant makes a good vertical accent in light shade. It can self-seed invasively if not deadheaded, though.

J
J
MD &, VA (Zone 7b) | June 2001 | neutral

Clump forming, flowers are pink, lilacr or greenish white and are fluffy clusters on strong stems. Gray geen leaves comprise small, ellip...Read More

Featured
Aloe Species
(Aloe petricola)
Flecked Wave
(Idaea philocosma)
Ruddy Turnstone
(Arenaria interpres)
Featured
Aloe Species
(Aloe petricola)
Flecked Wave
(Idaea philocosma)
Ruddy Turnstone
(Arenaria interpres)