Thalictrum petaloideum Ghent Ebony - Meadow-rue

Thalictrum x petaloideum 'Ghent Ebony' is a unique variety of meadow-rue recently selected in France by Sandrine and Thierry Delabroye. This very beautiful hybrid, which does not resemble any other, is characterised by its dark green-brown foliage, relatively compact habit, cream-white flowers, and early flowering. In the garden, this Thalictrum is a plant of precious and poetic appearance, deserving a prominent place in a partially shaded bed, in a moist and humus-rich soil, preferably non-calcareous.

Thalictrum Ghent Ebony, from the family Ranunculaceae, originates from Thalictrum petaloideum in Asia. Its second parent is unknown. It is a deciduous herbaceous plant with a perennial root, whose vegetation emerges from the ground in spring and disappears in winter. This Ghent Ebony variety quickly forms a bushy clump, reaching about 1m (3ft) in height when flowering, with a diameter of 60cm (24in). The stems are branched from the base, green, more or less tinged with brown. Its foliage consists of leaves divided into small, generally rounded leaflets with crenate margins, almost brown. From this clump of leaves rise the light panicle inflorescences, from mid-May to the beginning of July, for 6 weeks. They are adorned with very small flowers composed of multiple very thin petals, cream-white in colour, giving them a cloudy appearance. The meadow-rues, which are generally slow to establish, become more beautiful over time. They are hardy but do not appreciate the competition from nearby roots.

Delicately textured, with the play of light and shade and subtly adorned with a white mist, this meadow-rue undoubtedly brings a precious and refined touch to the shaded areas of the garden. It will find its place in a natural or romantic garden, between shade and sun. It will have a beautiful effect with shrubs such as Viburnum, Osmanthus, and Spiraea. At the edge of flower beds, pair it with bluebells, woodland geraniums (Geranium phaeum), and spring bulbs. It can also be planted near hydrangeas, fuchsias, astilbes, heucheras, foxgloves, and many others. Just make sure not to associate it with overly exuberant plants that could suffocate it.