Thalictrum Anne - Meadow-rue

Thalictrum 'Anne' is a wonderful descendant of the excellent 'Elin' giant meadow rue. In summer, the plant reaches over 2m (7ft) in height, with its ethereal and ever-changing flowering, where each tiny flower evolves from violet-pink to creamy-white. This cloud of flowers, carried by beautifully coloured, sturdy stems, displays a colour palette that is as unusual as it is delightful. Apart from its summer flowering, 'Anne' showcases delicately cut foliage, splendidly blue-tinted in summer. In the garden, this very airy Thalictrum takes up little space on the ground. It will find its place at the back of semi-shaded flower beds, in ordinary but moist soil.

Thalictrum 'Anne' is a seedling of the hybrid meadow rue 'Elin', which was thought to be sterile. The latter is a hybrid between Thalictrum flavum var. glaucum and T. rochebrunianum: it has vigorous growth and elegant flowering. All these plants belong to the Ranunculaceae family.
The cultivar 'Anne' is a herbaceous perennial with a robust stump, and exhibits an upright and erect habit, forming a bushy clump, from which flexible but sturdy stems, purplish in colour, rise in summer, reaching or even exceeding a height of 2m (7ft). However, the plant only occupies a width of 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) on the ground. The purplish stems are adorned with finely cut leaves, initially dark green, taking on a beautiful grey-blue shade in summer. The inflorescences appear in July-August, reaching heights of up to 2.50m (8ft)! They are quite dense panicles, filled with a multitude of tiny flowers that gradually transition from deep pink-lilac to creamy-white. These star-shaped flowers are inclined and composed of four prominent petals surrounding prominent stamens, giving them a ruffled appearance. Meadow rues, which are rather slow to establish themselves, become more beautiful over time. They are quite hardy but do not appreciate competition from nearby roots.

Sturdy and accommodating, 'Anne' deserves a prime spot, as a specimen or at the back of a flower bed, in a natural, poetic, and lush garden. This giant, with its head in the clouds, provides the same ornamental function as panicled baby's breath, but unlike them, it chooses the damp and shady areas of the garden. With its growth, lace-like foliage, and elusive flowering, it is perfect for adding height and lightness to flower beds. Despite its size, its transparent silhouette allows it to be placed at the front of flower beds to create a surprise effect. It is particularly striking in contrast with less delicate perennials (Rodgersia, Hosta), as well as at the edge of shrub beds. It will naturally find its place alongside Hydrangeas, bush or climbing Roses, Fuchsias, Japanese Anemones, aconites, astilbes, bellflowers, foxgloves, and many others. It also looks stunning with grasses or other graphic shrubs such as elderberries or sacred bamboos.