Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Cotton Candy Meadow Rue: A Lavender-Pink Haze on a Slim Column
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Cotton Candy meadow rue grows into a dense, narrow pillar of fine, columbine-like leaves with a slightly bluish cast, topped in June with wispy, fluffy puffs of soft lavender pink. Unlike many leggy meadow rues, its flowers sit just above the leaves, so the plant looks balanced and full rather than lanky.
Its flower color is a near cousin of lavender's, which makes it a natural echo for a lavender garden. It just wants richer, moister soil, so it lives in the border next door.
Cotton Candy at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Thalictrum 'Cotton Candy' |
| Flowers | Soft lavender-pink puffs, 3 to 5 inches across |
| Foliage | Medium green with a bluish cast, finely divided like columbine |
| Size | 38 to 42 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks late June |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Deer | Resistant; rabbits rarely bother it |
Echoing lavender from the next bed
Cotton Candy's lavender-pink haze reads beautifully from across a path. Set it in a moist border beside a sunny lavender bed and the soft color carries from one planting into the other, even though their soil needs are very different. Lavender wants lean, dry ground; meadow rue wants richer soil and steady moisture, with some shade from hot afternoon sun.
The columnar shape is the other selling point. It adds three feet or more of height while taking up less than two feet of ground, perfect for small gardens, narrow beds along a fence or the back of a border where it can rise behind lower plants. Plan the beds together in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun to part shade. It prefers cool summers, so give it afternoon shade in hot spots.
- Soil: average to fertile and reasonably moist. Wet, waterlogged soil can cause root rot.
- Water: steady moisture in hot weather prevents leaf scorch.
- Spacing: leave room for airflow; crowded plants can get powdery mildew in humid weather.
- After bloom: cut back spent stems to keep it tidy.
- Winter: hardy in Michigan within its zone range. Cut stems in fall or spring and add a light mulch.
For the vase
The tall stems and long-lasting flowers make Cotton Candy excellent for cutting. Its fluffy puffs add a soft, airy filler to arrangements and look lovely beside fresh lavender stems. Cut when about half the puffs are open for the longest vase life.
Two tray sizes
Cotton Candy is offered as a 72-cell plug tray and a 20-cell plug tray. The 72-cell tray suits growers and long borders; the 20-cell tray gives bigger plugs for a faster start. See each product page for current availability, or visit the Wholesale Hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant it with Cotton Ball?
Yes. Cotton Ball is its white-flowered sibling with the same form, and the two make a soft pink-and-white pairing.
Does it like to be divided?
No. Meadow rue settles in and prefers to be left alone once established.
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