Kruckeberg Botanic Garden Plant of the Month – Western Meadow Rue

By Sarah Baker, Garden Director

Western meadow rue (Thalictrum occidentale) is a wonderful, though generally underappreciated, native plant for northwest gardens. 

The leaves are comprised of delicate leaflets that evoke maidenhair fern. Its subtle beauty becomes dramatic when grouped in drifts, and its airy appearance provides a pleasing contrast to more robust perennials. 

The plants are also appreciated for the male plants’ panicles of small green flowers with dangling maroon stamens.

(Right) Photo of Thalictrum by Roseann Barnhill

Despite its fragile-looking appearance, western meadow rue is a reliable perennial for a woodland or border in your garden. 

The plants will thrive in full to part shade or dappled sun, and moist soil high in organic matter. The plants reach up to 3 feet in height.

About 100 species of Thalictrum are distributed through the mountains and forests of the Northern hemisphere. 

Six are native to the Pacific Northwest, and all thrive in the meadow and moist woodland conditions favored by western meadow rue.

Photo of Thalictrum flower from wikimedia commons by J. Schmidt, National Parks Service