Thalictrum Purplelicious - Meadow-rue

Thalictrum 'Purplelicious' is an exquisite medium-sized perennial with a vaporous, graceful, and elegant silhouette, reminiscent of an astilbe. With an airy habit, its long dark purple stems, erect and branching, bear a distinctive green, bluish-tinged lobed foliage and display a multitude of small flowers in summer, gathered in fluffy clusters, in a deep purple colour, composed solely of stamens.

Thalictrum 'Purplelicious' is a hybrid resulting from Thalictrum species. The genus consists of perennial plants native to the Himalayan region of Asia, from eastern Tibet to western China, belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. It is found in the wild at high altitudes, in forests, shrublands, and grassy slopes. This hybrid Meadow Rue is an herbaceous perennial with an upright and erect habit, forming a fairly compact bushy clump, from which stems rise, which are strongly coloured in dark purple, reaching a height of 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24in), with a width of 25 cm (10in). Its deciduous foliage, slightly bluish glaucous green, finely cut and very light, reminiscent of certain Maidenhairs, consists of 15 to 35 cm (6 to 14in) long pinnate or ternate leaves, with entire or trilobed leaflets. From July to September, large loose, terminal and axillary panicles appear, well-branched, formed of small flowers without corollas, with multiple dark purple stamens. Not liking the competition of nearby roots, a planting distance of 25 cm (10in) around its base should be allowed. The Meadow Rues, which are quite slow to establish, will become more and more beautiful over time.

This Meadow Rue is the ideal plant to brighten and flower damp and shaded areas of the garden. With its size, delicate and elegant bluish-green foliage, as well as its vaporous appearance and beautiful dark purple colours, it will be perfect for adding height and lightness to small shaded gardens. It will create a striking contrast with less delicate perennials, as well as at the edge of shrub borders. It will naturally find its place alongside Hostas, Hydrangeas, shrub or climbing Roses, Fuchsias, Japanese Anemones, Aconites, Astilbes, Campanulas, Viburnums, Symphoricarpos, Ferns, Hellebores, Foxgloves, Grasses, perennial Geraniums, Elderberry, Bamboo, and more.

The origin of the word Thalictrum would come from the Greek word Thallein, meaning to become green, and ictar, meaning quickly, in reference to its rapid growth.