Common name: Meadow Rue
Family: Ranunculaceae, Buttercup
Height x width: 3-8' x 2-3' (depending on species)
Growth rate: moderate
Foliage: alternate, bipinnate or ternately compound, leaflets with 3 broad teeth at apex
Flowers: variable with species
Hardiness: zones 4-6 to 7-8 (depending on species)
Soil: moist, well-drained
Light: part shade, tolerates sun in north if sufficient moisture
Pests and Problems: powdery mildew, rust, smut (none serious)
Landscape habit, uses: fine texture in borders, wildflower garden, woodland edges or natural areas
Other interest: genus name from the Greek thaliktron-- a name ascribed by Dioscorides to a plant with compound leaves
Other culture: tall species may need staking if not planted among and supported by other plants
Propagation: spring division, seeds
Species:
• delavayi (de-lah-vaa' yee)-- Yunnan Meadow Rue, 5' tall, zones 4-7; flowers similar to rochebrunianum, native to western China
• dipterocarpum:delavayi
• flavum (flaa' vum)--Yellow Meadow Rue, 3' tall, zones 5-8; yellow many-flowered fragrant panicle in summer; native to Europe and eastern Mediterranean
• flavum subsp. glaucum--Dusty Meadow Rue, 4-6' tall, creamy yellow flowers in dense clusters in summer, blue green leaves, tolerates heat, native to Spain and NW Africa
• kiusianum (kee-uu-see-aa' num)--Kyoshu Meadow Rue, 4-6" tall, zones 6-8; lavender flowers in summer; green mats of foliage with bronze tinge; good in rock gardens and walls; native to Japan
• minus (mii- nuss)-- Low Meadow Rue, 12-24" tall forming a dense clump, zones 3-7; branched panicle above leaves with greenish yellow flowers not particularly showy; green or gray green foliage resembling that of maidenhair fern; native to Europe
• rochebrunianum (ro-che-bruu-nee-aa' num)-- Lavender Mist Meadow Rue, 6-8' tall, zones 4-7; lavender violet flowers (no true petals, only petal-like sepals) with many primrose yellow stamens; leaves similar to maidenhair fern; native to Japan
• speciosissimum: flavum subsp. glaucum
| Species | zones | height | flowers | foliage | native |
| *aquilegifolium | 4-7 | 2-3' | lavender, dioecious | blue green | Eurasia |
| coreanum:ichangense | |||||
| dasycarpum | 4-7 | 3-5' | lavender,dioecious | green | N. America |
| *delavayi | 4-7 | 2-4' | lavender | green | W. China |
| fendleri | 5-8 | 4-6' | greenish white | green | NW U.S. |
| *flavum | 4-8 | 3-5' | yellow | blue green | So. Europe |
| foetidum | 6-8 | 2' | yellow-green, arching | green, smelly | Eurasia |
| ichangense | 4-7 | 4-6" | rosy pink | metallic green | W. China |
| kiusianum | 4-8 | 4-6" | lavender | green | Japan |
| minus | 4-7 | 1-2' | greenish white | green | Eurasia |
| *rochebrunianum | 4-7 | 4-8' | lavender | green | Japan |
| speciosissimum:flavum subsp. glaucum |
Cultivars:
| Cultivars, other taxa | species | flowers | other |
| *adiantifolium | minus | yellow | distinctive maidenhair-like foliage |
| var. album | aquilegifolium | white | |
| 'Album' | delavayi | white | less vigor |
| 'Atropurpureum' | aquilegifolium | dark purple | dark stems and stamens |
| *'Hewitt's Double' | delavayi | lavender | double, full flowers, long lasting |
| *'Lavender Mist' | rochebrunianum | violet | gold stamens |
| 'Purple Cloud':'Thundercloud' | |||
| 'Purpureum' | aquilegifolium | purple | |
| 'Thundercloud' | aquilegifolium | deep purple | larger flowers than species |
©Authored by Dr. Leonard Perry, Professor, University of Vermont as part of PSS123 course.
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