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Rue anemone

Thalictrum thalictroides (syn. Anemonella thalictroides)

Common names:
rue anemone, rue-anemone

Content Detail

A delicate woodland native, rue anemone is a spring ephemeral wildflower and garden perennial. Loose clusters of white to pale pink flowers rise above three-lobed green leaves. A great addition to the woodland wildflower or rock garden. This species is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research. 

  • Family (English) Buttercup
  • Family (botanic) Ranunculaceae
  • Tree or plant type Perennial
  • Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America
  • Size range Small plant (6-12 inches)
  • Light exposure Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, Dry sites
  • Season of interest early spring, mid spring, late spring
  • Flower color and fragrance White
  • Shape or form Creeping, Mounded
  • Growth rate Slow

Size:

Rue anemone is a low growing woodland wildflower that reaches 6 to 9 inches high.

Native geographic location and habitat:

Rue anemone is native in high quality woods from Ontario, Minnesota, Michigan, Maine and south to Florida, Mississippi, and Texas. C-Value: 7.

Attracts birds & pollinators: 

Bees and other spring pollinators are attracted to the flowers.

Leaf description: 

Basal leaves have three blunt lobes and form attractive 1 ½ inch mounds. Leaves are light green with a tinge of reddish-purple.

Flower description: 

The flower is a loose umbel of five petal-like sepals, white with a greenish tint. They are formed on individual stems rising above the foliage. Blooms in mid to late spring for three weeks before going dormant. The plant is wind-pollinated.

Fruit description: 

Flowers give way to 4 to 15 hooked achenes each containing one seed.

Plant care:

Plant in full to part shade in humus-rich, organic soil. Rue anemone will benefit from a layer of leaf mold or thin layer of mulch. A spring ephemeral, this plant goes dormant in summer heat.

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:

No serious problems.

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