A pair of Thalictrum delavayi

This pair of tall Thalictrums with single flowers, also known as meadow rues, brings together Thalictrum delavayi and Thalictrum delavayi 'Album'. These are perennial plants that bring a touch of elegance to the garden with their airy and cloudy summer flowering. Their deciduous, green leaves resemble those of columbines. They provide an interesting texture in perennial borders. These varieties are hardy down to -15°C and will tolerate slightly chalky soils. The ideal soil for successful cultivation of these plants will be humus-bearing, rich, moist, and well-drained.

The pair consists of:

1 x Thalictrum delavayi: the species with clusters of mauve flowers which can reach a height of 1.70 m, or even up to 2 m in very favorable conditions. Its foliage is light green and finely cut. Flowering occurs between late June and August.

1 x Thalictrum delavayi 'Album': unlike the species, this variety has white flowers and a slightly more modest growth, usually not exceeding 1.5 m high. The foliage is similar to the previous one, in terms of texture and colour.

This pair of meadow rues should be planted in spring or autumn in humus-bearing, rich, and well-drained soil. They prefer a semi-shaded position but can tolerate sun if the soil remains moist in summer. In a border, place the taller variety, Thalictrum delavayi, behind the shorter Thalictrum delavayi 'Album'. Allow for 3 to 4 plants per square metre and maintain a distance of at least 60 centimetres between each plant.

This pair of Thalictrum delavayi are perfect with hostas, especially the variety 'Halcyon', whose ample blue-green foliage contrasts with the delicate foliage of its companions. 'Fanal' astilbes, with their red flowers, can be positioned in front of the Thalictrums to add an extra touch of colour. Finally, for an even more ethereal effect, add a few plants of ferns such as Dryopteris erythrosora, with its coppery pink fronds among the other perennials.