Sunshine Farm and Gardens: Glick Pick Archives: Thalictrum lucidum

Sunshine Farm and Gardens

Rare and Exceptional Plants for the
Discriminating Gardener and Collector

Thalictrum lucidum

Click to enlarge

Tall, dark and handsome. Now there's a perfect description for Thalictrum lucidum. With an imposing height that's equal to that of an average human being, here's a plant that you can't live without. Even if it was void of those soft, puffy, fluffy, creamy yellow, fragrant flowers, it would still merit a place in the back of your sunny border. But flower it does and with a vengeance. In mid Summer this plant is festooned with airy puffs of soft, creamy yellow flowers and fragrant, did I mention that the flowers are fragrant? They smell like, of all things, roses!!

The flowers are reminiscent of Thalictrum flavum glaucum, but this species sports divided, dark green, fernlike foliage instead of the broader, glaucous foliage of Thalictrum flavum glaucum. Also, it can stand up on its own unlike the lovely, but drunken Thalictrum flavum glaucum that always needs support. None the less, Thalictrum flavum glaucum is also a good plant to grow even though it needs a bit of extra attention. You can see this plant close up at http://www.em.ca/garden/per_thalic_flav_gla uc1.html

Thalictrum lucidum is an easy plant to grow and definitely qualifies for my "idiot proof" designation. There seems to be no disease or insect problems and it will set copious amounts of easy to germinate seeds and grow into a lovely colony in no time.

The genus Thalictrum can be found in my favorite plant family, Ranunculaceae, home to favorites like Peonies, Clematis and oh yeh, Hellebores. Thalictrum species range in size from the dwarf, 3"-6" Thalictrum minus to the 6' tall Thalictrum lucidum and can be found on almost every continent.

There is an awesome Thalictrum page at http://www.tuininformatie.net/tk/info/vp25a .htm In fact, the fellow that created the pages has included a resource of over 50 more Thalictrum links. You'll be a Thalictrum Authority in no time with the click of your mouse.

Just the facts M'am:
Kingdom - Plantae
Division - Magnoliophyta
Class - Magnoliopsida
Subclass - Magnoliidae
Order - Ranunculales
Family - Ranunculaceae
Genus - Thalictrum
Species - lucidum
Common name - genus - "Meadow Rue"
Common name - species - "Shining Meadow Rue"
Synonyms - ???????????
Native of - Eurasia
USDA Hardiness Zone - zone 5, maybe 4?
Light preference - Full sun to full shade
Soil preference - Average
Moisture preference - Average to moist
Bloom time - Mid Summer
Bloom color - Soft, creamy yellow
Foliage - Medium to dark green
Spread - Clumps to about 12"
Height - 36"-60"
Landscape uses - Back of a sunny to part shade border
Medicinal uses - none that I have discovered

A complete set of back issues of "Glick Pick of the Week" is available for the asking. If you would like me to send them, or if you would like to, first see the list, send me an email. Also, if you're getting more than one copy of this weekly mailing, or would like to subscribe a friend, or for some crazy reason, to unsubscribe, let me know.

© 2001 Barry Glick and Sunshine Farm & Gardens

Barry Glick, Sunshine Farm and Gardens
696 Glicks Rd, Renick, WV 24966, USA
Phone: (304) 497-2208
E-mail: barry@sunfarm.com

Last modified February 25, 2020
URL: https://www.sunfarm.com/picks/thalictrumlucidumflr-124318.phtml