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Lavender companion · grow guide
Meadow Rue · Thalictrum
Plant in part shade to sun in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Airy, fluffy flower clusters rise over lacy, columbine-like leaves; afternoon shade helps in hot summers.
Check my zone & planting dates
Part shadeLight
Steady waterMoist drainage
pH 5.5–7.0Soil
Zones 5a–8bHardiness
42″ tall24″ wide
ResistantDeer · rabbits resistant
Mildly toxicPets
Huckleberry saysTell me where you grow and I’ll check if Cotton Ball will thrive there.
Hardy in zones 5a–8b
Spring or early fall.
Your year with Cotton Ball
When it arrives
Plugs arrive in active growth. Water the tray right away and keep it in bright shade, never hot sun. Plant within a few days or move into 3–4" pots. Set each plug so its top is level with the soil, and keep it evenly moist for the first month.
Spring or early fall.
Set the crown at soil level; don't bury it.
18–24" apart.
Rich, organic loam · pH 5.5–7.0
Fix-it tip: Work in compost or leaf mold and mulch to keep roots cool and moist. Avoid dry, sandy spots.
Part shade (tolerates full sun in cool northern gardens if kept moist).
Morning sun and afternoon shade are ideal. Taller types may lean toward light in deeper shade.
Don’t give up on it
Shoots appear in mid-spring with delicate, blue-green, lacy leaves. Young plants are small at first; they fill out by year two.
Watch for lacy shoots; topdress with compost.
Water steadily; give afternoon shade.
Enjoy seedheads, then cut back.
No care.
First season: Keep evenly moist all first season.
After that: Medium water; don't let it dry out in summer.
Topdress with compost in spring; no heavy feeding.
Cut flower stems after bloom, or leave them for decorative seedheads. Cut the plant back in late fall or early spring.
Rarely needed; divide in spring if crowded.
Cold hardy; no protection needed in Michigan-type winters.
Struggles in hot, humid southern summers; afternoon shade and steady moisture help.
Scorched, crispy leavesLikely cause: Sun or dry soil
What to do: Water deeply; add mulch; give afternoon shade
Tall stems lean or flopLikely cause: Shade or wind
What to do: Give more morning sun or a support
Small first yearLikely cause: Normal establishment
What to do: Be patient; it fills out in year two
Brown, crispy leaf edges and early dormancy mean too dry or too sunny. Rot in waterlogged soil.
Not listed by ASPCA. It's in the buttercup family, some members of which irritate the mouth or stomach if eaten. Discourage chewing.
Deer: resistant · Rabbits: resistant
Finnegan saysStill not sure what’s wrong? Ask Plant Health — describe it or add a photo.
Possible, with care · 3 gallon+
Possible in a large pot kept evenly moist in part shade.
Outdoor plant
Not suited to indoor growing.
Best after a cold winter
Needs winter dormancy to return strong.
Plugs from the tray
3–4 inch pots for 3–5 weeks, until roots hold the soil
Garden bed or a 3 gallon potTime to move up? Slide the plant out: if white roots wrap the outside of the soil, it’s ready for the next size.
Planting with lavender
Give it its own spot
Needs richer, moister soil and some shade, unlike lavender. Grow it in a partly shaded border; its airy flowers look great there.
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Grower-sourced information. Results reflect real gardens and farms and vary with climate, soil, plant age and care.
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