Thalictrum delavayi, commonly known as Chinese Meadow-Rue, is a deciduous perennial herb that is native to the rich, moist soils of forest margins and meadows in South Central China, Myanmar, and Tibet. It typically grows to a height of 1.2 meters (4 feet) and spreads to 60 centimeters (24 inches), featuring a delicate, open habit with compound leaves that are finely divided into numerous small leaflets. During the summer months, it produces airy panicles of small, lilac flowers with showy, pendulous green or white stamens that are quite attractive to pollinators.

Chinese Meadow-Rue is valued for its graceful foliage and charming flowers, which add a light, feathery texture to garden borders and woodland settings. It is often used in informal plantings and cottage gardens. This plant prefers consistently moist, fertile soil with good drainage and can tolerate full sun to part shade. While it enjoys moisture, it is important to avoid waterlogged conditions. ’Ankum’, a popular cultivar, has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its garden performance. Thalictrum delavayi can be susceptible to powdery mildew, especially in dry conditions, so providing adequate air circulation is important. It is not known for being invasive but can self-seed in ideal growing conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0