What hardiness zones is Thalictrum delavayi suitable for?

Thalictrum delavayi is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Thalictrum delavayi?

Thalictrum delavayi requires Part Shade.

How much water does Thalictrum delavayi need?

Thalictrum delavayi has Medium water needs.

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Perennials

Thalictrum delavayi

Yunnan Meadow Rue

Ranunculaceae

Western China (Yunnan, Sichuan) — named after the French missionary-botanist Pere Delavay

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height36-60 inches (90-150 cm)

Width24-36 inches (60-90 cm)

Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8

Zone 4 Zone 5 Zone 6 Zone 7 Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

What's my zone? →

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant

Maintenancelow

Overview

Thalictrum delavayi is the Yunnan meadow rue, growing 36–60 inches (90–150 cm) tall and 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) wide. The species was named after Pere Jean-Marie Delavay, the French missionary-botanist who collected extensively in Yunnan, China. Large airy panicles of flowers appear in July and August; each individual flower is composed of lavender-lilac petal-like sepals surrounding dangling yellow stamens, creating a bicolour lavender-and-yellow effect. The individual flowers dangle on hair-thin pedicels, swaying in the slightest breeze. The cumulative effect of hundreds of dangling bicolour flowers in airy panicles draws and holds attention. Blue-green finely divided ferny foliage. The tall wiry stems require staking or neighbouring plant support. Moist, humus-rich shade to part shade. Named cultivars 'Hewitt''s Double' (fully double, pure lavender) and 'Splendide' (larger flowers) extend the range. Mildly toxic. Deer avoid the foliage.

Native Range

Thalictrum delavayi is native to western China — Yunnan and Sichuan provinces.

Suggested Uses

Used at the back of shade borders, in woodland gardens, and as a tall seasonal accent. The dancing bicolour flowers carry strong visual presence in summer borders.

How to Identify

Identified by large airy panicles of bicolour flowers — lavender-lilac sepals surrounding dangling yellow stamens on hair-thin pedicels — on a tall (36–60 inches / 90–150 cm) plant with blue-green ferny foliage. The dangling bicolour flowers swaying in breeze are the species signature.