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Thalictrum pubescens

tall meadow-rue

Ranunculaceae Eastern North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Thalictrum pubescens is a tall herbaceous perennial of eastern North America, reaching 3-8 feet (0.9-2.4 m) tall on slender, branching stems. Its compound leaves are divided two or three times into rounded, lobed leaflets that resemble those of columbine and give the plant an airy, ferny texture. In early to mid summer it bears large branched panicles of small flowers that lack showy petals; instead, dense tufts of white to cream stamens create a frothy display. The species is functionally dioecious, with male and female flowers usually on separate plants. Seeds form in small ribbed achenes. T. pubescens grows in wet meadows, marsh edges, stream banks, and moist open woods, and needs consistently moist soil to reach full height. In dry sites it stays shorter and the foliage scorches. The tall stems may need support in exposed, windy positions. It is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8.

Native Range

Native to eastern North America, from Newfoundland and Quebec south through the Appalachians to Georgia and west to the Great Plains. It grows in wet meadows, marshes, stream banks, swamps, and moist woodland clearings.

Suggested Uses

Planted at the back of moist borders, along ponds and streams, in rain gardens, and in native and pollinator gardens. Its height and airy flower clusters work as a screen or backdrop behind shorter perennials.

How to Identify

Look for tall, branching stems carrying lacy compound leaves with rounded, three-lobed leaflets like those of a large columbine. In summer the stems are topped with broad, branched clusters of fluffy white flowers made up mostly of stamens rather than petals. The plant reaches 3-8 feet (0.9-2.4 m) and grows in wet, open ground.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 8'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Summer

Clouds of small white to cream flowers open in early to mid summer, generally June through July, lasting two to three weeks. The petal-less flowers consist of showy stamens and are pollinated by wind and visiting insects. Male plants are showier in bloom, while female plants set ribbed seed clusters.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to cream

Foliage Description

Blue-green to green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam silt

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow T. pubescens in full sun to part shade in rich, consistently moist to wet soil. It grows well at pond and stream edges and in rain gardens, and it tolerates standing water for short periods. In dry soil the plant stays short and the leaf edges brown. Tall stems in open sites may need staking or the shelter of neighboring plants. Cut the stems back after seed set or leave them standing for winter structure. Division in spring or fall renews older clumps and is the simplest means of propagation.

Pruning

No detailed pruning is needed. Cut the spent flower stems back after seeds ripen, or leave them through winter for structure and bird forage. Remove damaged foliage in spring as new growth appears.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Unknown