What hardiness zones is Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum suitable for?

Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum?

Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum requires Full Sun.

How much water does Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum need?

Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum has Medium water needs.

Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum (Yellow Meadow Rue)

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Perennials

Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum var. glaucum

Yellow Meadow Rue

Ranunculaceae

Southern Europe, North Africa, and Turkey

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height48-72 inches (120-180 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 flavum ssp. glaucum is the yellow-flowered meadow rue, growing 48–72 inches (120–180 cm) tall and 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) wide. The subspecies name 'glaucum' means 'blue-gray', describing the powdery blue-gray finely divided columbine-like foliage that is the plant's primary ornamental feature. The blue-gray leaf colour is created by a waxy glaucous bloom on the leaf surface, holding the cool tone from spring emergence through fall. Bright lemon-yellow fluffy stamen-only flowers in dense terminal clusters appear in June and July — a yellow flower colour rare in Thalictrum, which more typically blooms in lavender or purple. The blue-gray foliage paired with yellow flowers gives a colour combination not available elsewhere in the genus. The 4–6 foot stature places this at the back of borders and requires staking on exposed sites. More sun-tolerant than other meadow rues but still requires consistent moisture. Mildly toxic. Deer avoid the foliage.

Native Range

Thalictrum flavum ssp. glaucum is native to southern Europe, North Africa, and Turkey.

Suggested Uses

Used at the back of borders as a tall vertical accent. The blue-gray foliage carries colour interest from spring through fall, even outside the bloom period. The yellow-on-blue-gray colour combination pairs well with purple- and pink-flowered companions.

How to Identify

Identified by bright lemon-yellow fluffy stamen-only flower clusters on a tall (48–72 inches / 120–180 cm) plant with powdery blue-gray finely divided columbine-like foliage. The yellow flower colour combined with blue-gray glaucous foliage is the species signature.