Fendler's Meadow-rue
Thalictrum fendleri var. polycarpum
Care
part shade
low
Medium, Slow; Prefers loamy soil with organic matter.
3–6ft tall , 1–1ft wide
Mar-Aug
Deciduous
Resistant
Mountain meadows and wet areas of the Sierra Nevada, 5000-8000 ft elevation, extending into Nevada.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant Fendler's Meadow-rue in part shade to deep shade - it's a shade lover that pairs beautifully with ferns and other woodland plants. Choose a spot with medium to slow draining soil rich in organic matter and loam, and plant in spring for best results. Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart to accommodate their mature height of 3 to 6 feet.
After Planting
Water weekly during your first summer, then taper off to once a month or less once established - this is a low-water plant. Expect it to bloom from March through August, and don't be alarmed if it dies back to the ground in warmer or drier summers; it will recover with normal watering when conditions improve. The biggest mistake Bay Area gardeners make is overwatering: this plant is tough and drought-tolerant once established, so err on the dry side rather than keeping it constantly moist.
Visit Calscape for more information about Fendler's Meadow-rue
Wildlife Supported
Insects
supplemental pollen during early bloom period
early season fungal colonization of aerial plant parts
generalist pollen forager during flowering
early season pollen source for nesting females