Plant Library

Other Names:  Dusty Meadow Rue

Description:

A fantastic selection from a very fine species with columns of mauve foliage arising in spring, turning to a glaucous green; stately stems topped with bright butter-yellow in early summer; lovely massed along borders; will readily naturalize

Ornamental Features

Yellow Meadow Rue's attractive ferny leaves emerge burgundy in spring, turning bluish-green in color on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous olive green in the fall. It features showy clusters of yellow star-shaped flowers with buttery yellow overtones rising above the foliage in early summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. The olive green stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

Yellow Meadow Rue is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Yellow Meadow Rue is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Yellow Meadow Rue will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity extending to 5 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.