Thalictrum tuberosum, was What's Blooming Oregon
Jane McGary (Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:33:53 PDT)
Robin Hansen wrote
Is anyone familiar with Thalictrum tuberosum? Raised from seed, it
is blooming for the first time. The flowers are large, 5/8" or more
and creamy white with yellow stamens on a plant that is maybe 4" at
the moment. I can't seem to find much information and am hoping
someone can tell me whether it's small enough for a shady trough.
I've grown this (from seed from the Archibalds) for many years. It is
a very small plant, with almost all the foliage (which is pretty and
glaucous) being basal. The flowering stem can get to about 6 inches
(15 cm) tall, and the inflorescence is petaloid (as in the more showy
Thalictrum species). My original plant is quite old now, probably 15
years, and the tuberous rootstock does not look to me like it can be
safely divided. The seed germinates best if sown fresh, but I did
grow the original one from stored seed. I grow it in a pot plunged in
an uncovered frame, in full sun. I don't know what it would look like
in shade but it might get taller. Although rare in cultivation and
probably not a commercial prospect (even fresh seed germinates
poorly, and getting a flowering plant takes at least 3 years), it is
well worth growing.
Jane McGary
Northwestern Oregon, USA