Chinese Meadow Rue Thalictrum delavayi 'Ankum'
ABOUT
The plant known as Meadow Rue 'Ankum' boasts an elegant and delicate appearance. Its foliage is a fine, feathery mass of bluish-green leaves that create a soft, textured look. The leaves themselves are compound, with small individual leaflets that contribute to their overall lacy effect. This foliage resembles that of a maidenhair fern in texture and shape, providing a backdrop for the star of the show – the flowers. Flowering in the summer, this plant produces tall, airy, wand-like flower stems that rise above the foliage. The flowers are small but numerous, adorned with lilac to purple petals that hang in loose clusters. These charming blossoms are often described as looking like a cloud of mist or a haze of color due to their soft hues and the way they are held above the leaves. The combination of fine foliage and whimsical flowers gives this plant a fairy-tale quality, making it a whimsical addition to any garden setting. Meadow Rue 'Ankum' is prized for its flower color and texture, adding both a vertical and visual softness to plantings. It's often used in garden designs that aim to evoke a naturalistic, woodland, or cottage garden feel. Its enchanting aesthetic pairs well with other shade-loving plants and can bring a touch of understated luxury to the landscape.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
Chinese Meadow Rue, Delavay's Meadow Rue, Yunnan Meadow Rue
Common names
Thalictrum delavayi.
ToxicityTo humans
Thalictrum delavayi, commonly known as Chinese meadow rue, is not widely reported as toxic to humans. However, as with many plants, it is not typically considered edible and may cause stomach upset or a negative reaction if ingested. Always exercise caution and avoid eating plants that are not known to be safe for consumption.
To pets
Chinese meadow rue is not widely known for its toxicity to pets. However, it is generally advisable to prevent pets from ingesting plants that are not confirmed to be safe. If a pet does consume Chinese meadow rue, watch for signs of gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions and contact a veterinarian if such symptoms occur. It's always best to keep any houseplants or garden plants out of reach of pets to avoid any potential issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Lavender
Height
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
China
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Offers delicate, lacy foliage and airy clouds of small, lilac or white flowers that enhance garden aesthetics.
- Attracts Pollinators: Flowers provide nectar that attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, supporting local ecosystems.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, has a good level of drought resistance, making it suitable for drier climates or water-wise gardens.
- Shade Tolerance: Can thrive in partially shaded areas where other sun-loving plants might not perform as well.
- Height and Texture: Adds vertical interest and a fine texture to garden beds, borders, or as a backdrop for lower-growing plants.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it a good choice for gardeners seeking a less labor-intensive option.
- Deer Resistance: Generally resistant to deer, which makes it an excellent choice for gardens in areas where deer predation is a problem.
- Cold Hardy: Can withstand cold temperatures, making it suitable for gardens in cooler climates.
- Long Blooming: Has a lengthy blooming period which ensures that the garden remains colorful and attractive for longer stretches of the season.
- Cutting Garden: Blooms are suitable for cutting and using in floral arrangements, adding value for those who enjoy bringing garden flowers indoors.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography backdrop: The delicate lacy foliage and tall flowers of Chinese Meadow Rue provide a picturesque setting for garden photography.
- Botanical studies: Botanists and horticulture students may study Chinese Meadow Rue for its unique reproductive structures and flower formation.
- Garden design: Its tall, airy appearance adds vertical interest to borders and cottage garden designs.
- Crafts: Dried flower heads can be used in floral arrangements and craft projects such as wreath making and dried bouquets.
- Educational tool: Chinese Meadow Rue can be used to educate about pollination and the attraction of pollinators like bees and butterflies to certain types of flowers.
- Bee gardens: Planting Chinese Meadow Rue can support local bee populations by providing nectar.
- Dye production: Historically, some species of the Thalictrum genus have been used to produce dyes, Chinese Meadow Rue could potentially be explored for this purpose.
- Pressing: The unique leaves and flowers can be pressed to create botanical art or included in a plant press collection.
- Seasonal interest: With its late blooming period, Chinese Meadow Rue can bring color to a garden when other plants have finished flowering.
- Cultural symbolism: In some cultures, plants like Chinese Meadow Rue might be used symbolically in gardens or during festivals to represent themes such as grace or serenity.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Chinese Meadow Rue is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Chinese Meadow Rue is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Elegance: Thalictrum delavayi, commonly known as Chinese meadow rue, often symbolizes elegance due to its delicate, lacy foliage and graceful stems.
- Subtlety: With its fine-textured leaves and small, airy flowers, Chinese meadow rue represents subtlety and understated beauty.
- Whimsical charm: The plant's ethereal appearance can be associated with a sense of whimsy and enchantment in a garden setting.
- Mystery: The subtle colors and complex structure of the plant can evoke a sense of mystery and depth.
WaterThe Chinese Meadow Rue should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the soil to become moderately dry between waterings. During the growing season, you might need to water more frequently, especially if the weather is particularly hot or dry. It's important to avoid waterlogging the soil, so make sure the plant has good drainage. A general rule is to provide about 1 gallon of water per week, adjusting as necessary for temperature and rainfall changes. Overhead watering is preferable in the morning to allow foliage to dry out during the day, which can help prevent disease.
LightChinese Meadow Rue thrives in partial shade to full sun. The best spot for this plant would be one where it receives morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled sunlight throughout the day. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, so ensure some protection from the harshest afternoon rays.
TemperatureChinese Meadow Rue prefers a temperate climate and will do well in temperatures between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 5 degrees Fahrenheit but may die back to the ground in colder climates and return in the spring. During extreme heat, the plant may appreciate some additional shade and water to stay cool.
PruningPrune Chinese Meadow Rue to remove dead or broken stalks and to shape the plant, typically in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning helps to encourage bushier growth and improve air circulation, which can reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Deadheading, or the removal of spent flowers, can be done during the blooming season to encourage additional blooms and prevent self-seeding if not desired.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe optimal soil mix for Chinese Meadow Rue (Thalictrum delavayi 'Ankum') should be fertile, well-draining, and have plenty of organic matter, such as peat moss or leaf mold. A pH range of 5.5 to 6.5 is suitable, leaning towards slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils to prevent root rot.
RepottingChinese Meadow Rue (Thalictrum delavayi 'Ankum') does not require frequent repotting and can be done every 2-3 years. It is best to repot in the spring before the new growth starts, only if the plant has outgrown the current pot or the soil has deteriorated.
Humidity & MistingChinese Meadow Rue (Thalictrum delavayi 'Ankum') prefers moderate to high humidity levels. Strive for a humidity range of 40-60% for optimal growth, which can be achieved in a typical garden setting without additional efforts to modify ambient humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Chinese Meadow Rue in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Plant Chinese Meadow Rue in partial shade with moist, rich soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThalictrum delavayi 'Ankum', commonly known as the Chinese Meadow Rue, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in moist, well-drained soil in spring. Once the seedling emerges, the plant goes through a vegetative stage, developing a rosette of leaves on long, thin stalks and creating an intricate root system. In its reproductive stage, during early to mid-summer, it produces tall, erect stems with panicles of small, fluffy, lavender or lilac flowers which are particularly attractive to pollinators. After pollination, the flowers transform into achenes—a type of dry fruit containing seeds—that facilitate the spread of the next generation. As the growing season concludes, Chinese Meadow Rue enters a period of dormancy, where above-ground foliage dies back with the onset of fall and winter, while the roots survive underground. With the return of favorable conditions in spring, the cycle restarts as the plant emerges again from its rootstock, continuing the perennial cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagating Thalictrum delavayi 'Ankum', also known as Chinese Meadow Rue, is by seed. The best time to sow seeds is either in fall or early spring. To propagate by seed, collect the ripe seedheads once they have dried on the plant and sow them in a cold frame as soon as they are obtained. If sowing in spring, stratification might be needed, which involves mimicking winter conditions by chilling the seeds for several weeks to break dormancy. The seeds should then be lightly covered with soil and kept moist until germination, which usually occurs in spring when temperatures rise. Once seedlings have grown sufficiently and all danger of frost has passed, they can be transplanted to their final position in the garden.
