Thalictrum ichangense

Ichang Meadow Rue Ranunculaceae

A particularly charming little meadow-rue, Thalictrum ichangense is as much a foliage plant as a flowering perennial. It forms a low, spreading clump of rounded, shallowly three-lobed leaflets, their unusual peltate attachment giving them an almost miniature lotus-leaf appearance. The foliage is especially attractive, often dark green and beautifully marbled or veined with silvery-grey, with purple tones adding further colour as the season progresses. Slender, branching stems rise above the foliage to carry airy sprays of small white to pale pink flowers, which are produced repeatedly and can continue well into late summer.

Native to China, Korea and northern Vietnam, where it occurs in forests, scrub and damp rocky habitats, generally at moderate to high elevations. It was first described from material collected around Ichang (now Yichang) in Hubei, the specific epithet ichangense referring to this locality.

An excellent plant for the front of a woodland border or a lightly shaded trough, where its finely detailed, marbled foliage can be appreciated at close quarters. Unlike many meadow-rues, its combination of attractive foliage, compact habit and prolonged flowering makes it useful throughout much of the growing season.

Height: 15–30cm
Spread: 30–45cm
Flowering: June–September, with successive flowering
Position: Partial shade
Soil: Moist, humus-rich and well drained
Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK