Thalictrum occidentale

Common Names

Western Meadow-Rue, Western Meadowrue

Summary

Western meadow-rue is a dioecious perennial native to western North America that forms a clump with erect stems about 1–3 feet tall. Leaves are mostly cauline and 3–4-pinnately compound with delicate leaflets; from late spring to August, open panicles of small flowers appear, with four to five greenish-white to purplish sepals and no petals, male flowers bearing long purple filaments and female flowers carrying purple styles.

It prefers partial shade to shade and moist, well-drained soils, and tends to spread to form large colonies; in cultivation it suits woodland or shade borders and erosion-control plantings. Propagation is by division or seeds, with seeds requiring stratification; the plant is native and not of conservation concern and adds wildlife value in appropriate habitats.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-3.5 feet

Spread

12-36 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5a-9b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade, tolerates full sun, partial sun, and full shade.

Soil Type

Moist soil with high organic matter

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Bloom Color

Greenish-white to purplish

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Blue-green, Green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Division, Seed with stratification

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts pollinators, Supports butterflies and moths