Thalictrum aquilegifolium Fairy Wings - Meadow-rue

Thalictrum aquilegifolium 'Fairy Wings' is a variety of Meadow-rue compact with generous summer flowering in beautiful mauve pink to purple pink. This pretty semi-shade perennial develops flowering stems crowned with large inflorescences with a fluffy appearance composed of small flowers with numerous prominent stamens, resembling small fluffy pompoms. The finely cut green-blue-silver foliage, which strongly resembles that of columbines, is very attractive. An ideal plant for lightening up semi-shady borders, in humus-rich and moist soil. 

Thalictrum Fairy Wings is a recent horticultural creation. Its wild ancestor, the columbine-leaved meadow-rue (Thalictrum aquilegifolium), is native to damp and shady mountain meadows in Europe and Asia. It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, just like anemones, clematis, and... columbines.  This large herbaceous perennial with a rhizomatous root system can sometimes be slow to establish, but its beauty is worth the wait.

The 'Fairy Wings' variety stands out for its lower habit and its very beautiful fluffy dense flowers in purple pink. At maturity, the plant reaches about 50 cm (20in) in all directions. Its green-blue leaves, 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12in) long, are divided into obovate leaflets on either side of the central vein and with undulate edges. The resemblance to the foliage of garden columbines is quite striking. Appearing in June-July, the flowers are arranged in large panicles forming clouds of fluffy flowers. The spherical flowers, 8 to 10 mm (0in) wide, are composed of violet petals from which emerge long radiating stamens. The stems that bear them are strong enough to do without staking. The above-ground vegetation, deciduous, dries up in autumn and regrows in spring. 

This lovely Thalictrum Fairy Wings will find its place in the middle of borders. Its flowering stems are perfect for making summer displays, with roses or peonies, for example. It thrives in slightly sunny or semi-shady areas of the garden. A damp and deep soil allows it to develop vigorously, but it is not afraid of summer heat, as long as it is watered from time to time in the late afternoon. It pairs very well with lilies, as well as with ferns, hostas, bellflowers, meadowsweets, rodgersias, and perennial geraniums.

Tip: Dare to use tall giant plants to add structure and volume in the garden. The tallest ones give volume and lightness against a dark background of hedges or conifers. Those of intermediate height will complement tall borders, such as those with giant dahlias.