Rue Anemone
Thalictrum thalictroides
Last reviewed: August 2026
Rue anemone is a low woodland forb that blooms in April and May with delicate white flowers held above finely divided foliage. It suits shaded gardens with well drained soil and light to moderate moisture.
Toxicity unknown
Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
6"–12" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 29 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Before you buy
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Rue anemone is a delicate spring wildflower with small white or pink flowers that bloom in April and May. This low-growing native perennial forms small clumps and goes dormant by midsummer, making it ideal for woodland gardens and shaded areas.
Growing Rue Anemone
Grow Rue Anemone in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 6 to 12 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Rue Anemone takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Disappears completely by midsummer leaving bare spots
- Very small stature may look sparse or weedy
- Delicate appearance doesn't match typical landscaping expectations
Wildlife value
The early spring flowers provide nectar for native bees and beetles when few other flowers are available. The plant serves as a host for some specialist native insects.
Common questions
- When does rue anemone bloom?
- Rue anemone typically flowers in April and May, producing small white blossoms on thin stems before many surrounding trees fully leaf out.
- What growing conditions does rue anemone need?
- It grows best in part shade with medium, well drained moisture, similar to the dappled light found beneath deciduous trees.
- What pollinators visit rue anemone?
- Bees and beetles are the main visitors, drawn to the flowers during the early spring bloom period.
- Is rue anemone evergreen?
- No, it is deciduous and behaves as a spring ephemeral, with foliage dying back after flowering as the season warms.
- Is Rue Anemone HOA-friendly?
- Rue Anemone takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Rue Anemone? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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