Thalictrum dioicum - Early Meadow Rue

Sizes available: HPP quart, Coming later in 2026

Basics: zones 3-8, 12-36" x 12", dappled sun to part shade, male flowers are greenish-white with yellow stamens, female flowers are greenish-white with purple pistils, both are very pretty and bloom in late spring to early summer, prefers dry to medium moisture, not too picky as to soil type and will require more moisture in the brightest conditions, adaptable to drier shade.

Common names: Early Meadow Rue, Quicksilver-weed

Family: Ranunculaceae

Origin/Distribution: New Brunswick, southwest Quebec, southern Ontario, to Minnesota and south to Arkansas, Georgia, and Alabama, native to Maine

Habitat: damp meadow, streamside, lightly shaded woodland

More: This plant is dioecious and wind-pollinated. Dioicum and dioecious derive from the Greek meaning "two households". Both male and female plants are needed to set viable seed. Good to plant with bulbs and spring ephemerals as the foliage is attractive and persistent and will hide the gaps left by summer dormant species. Larval host for the Pink-tinted Beauty, Eosphoropteryx thyatyroides, which is native to Maine. Has been used medicinally. Deer resistant. Cut flower? Good companions are Asarum canadense, Wild Ginger, Carex plantaginea, Plantain-leaved Sedge, and the woodland asters. Also good for a shady rock garden.

Source: Landscape plugs from Pizzo Native Plant Nursery, grown on at Honey Petal Plants

Image credits: Frank Meuschke of Shelterwood Gardens, male flowers pictured 1st, female flowers pictured 2nd