Thalictrum pubescens - Tall Meadow Rue

Sizes available: #1 (Trade gallon)

Basics: zones 3-8, 36-84" x 24-36", dappled sun or light shade to full shade, starry white flowers on a tall stalk in summer, really needs consistent moisture to wet soils in order to grow well. It can grow in a lot of sun in the wettest conditions in a climate with cooler summers, but really prefers a bit of shade, especially in the afternoon.

Common names: King-of-the-Meadow, Tall Meadow Rue

Synonym: Thalictrum polygamum

Family: Ranunculaceae

Origin/Distribution: most of eastern Canada and eastern United States except Florida, native to Maine. These plants were grown from seed collected in New England.

Habitat: rich woodlands and other moist, low places with some shade, also found in wetter spots such as marshes, stream and river banks, swamps, and pond edges

More: The flowers of T. pubescens are attractive to a variety of pollinators. Mostly dioecious, but sometimes male and female flowers occur on the same plant. The lacy blue-green foliage is very pretty. The plant provides cover for small mammals, amphibians, and birds. Larval host for, (among others), the Canadian Owlet Moth, Calyptra canadensis, the Straight-lined Looper, Pseudeva purpurigera, the Pink-patched Looper, Eosphoropteryx thyatroides, and the Hitched Arches, Melanchra adjuncta, all native to Maine. Will self-sow if happy with the situation. Has been used medicinally. The leaves have been used to flavor fish. I will be testing it out as a cut flower and foliage.

Sources: Van Berkum Nursery, from seed collected in New England

Image credits: Van Berkum Nursery; illustration from Wikimedia Commons