Thalictrum ‘Splendide’

Description

Magical and enchanting are the best words to capture the mood of Thalictrum ‘Splendide’. Spellbinding panicles of tiny dancing flowers break out in late spring like a gathering of tiny fairies, gracing your garden with a breezy haze of dusky lilac. The flowers are small and delicate but produced in abundance, held aloft like a cloud by the most delicate dark stems. Even the foliage of Thalictrum ‘Splendide’ is a point of interest—with scalloped edges, it has a beautiful lacy vibe. Reaching an ultimate height of around 1.5m when in full bloom, you can expect a majestic performance which introduces higher-level interest with airy, gentle semi-transparency.

Thalictrum delavayi ‘Splendide’ flowers in early summer, starting the season in the most extraordinary way. Chinese meadow-rue is its common name and it’s tougher than it looks. Taking winter temperatures down to -20°C in its stride and thriving in most soil types (including clay), this perennial grows back every year and asks for very little in return—just a nice spot in a partially shaded part of the border and the usual initial care while it settles in.