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Droopy Thalictrum
I bought a Thalictum 'Elin' on complete impulse, and planted into what I thought was going to be a shady part of the garden. Well, it turns out the area gets afternoon sun, and it's flower spike is wilting and flopping. The soil has been kept pretty moist. Do you think it'll pick up given a bit more time for the roots to catch up with the foliage? Would a 'Chelsea chop' help?
I haven't got anywhere else to put it other than in a pot in the shadow of a fence which runs along the garden path. Other than that, I'll have to give it away.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
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Thalictrum prefer some shade. It may improve once the roots move out from the pot shaped ball. Keep watering. The best time to move it would bein early spring just as it starts growing again. If you chop it, you will lose this years flowers.
I used to have one of the purple ones and found it a bit floppy even here, where they probably don't get as big, and the soil's always moist. I used other planting round it for support. Mine got afternoon sun too, but the other plants helped keep it upright.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks Fidget. I've just moved in and didn't appreciate how much late afternoon sun that spot got. And the soil isn't exactly deep. I might chance moving it to a large pot...
I grew this in Belgium in good, rich loamy soil with plenty of organic matter. It was in full sun all day once we got into late April. It got so big I dug it up 3 years ago and moved it to an even sunnier spot with more moisture and it grew well there too, but never as tall which suited me fine. It was a triffid in its first location getting well over 2m high.
I suggest patience and see if it perks up. Don't let it dry out but don't drown it either..
If you've only just planted it, it should be fine to move it.
WillDB - I've had a Thalictrum 'Elin' growing fully exposed for a couple of years - it was massively tall and very happy in a small bed which had not been topped up with any decent garden compost for a couple of years also.
However, because of the sun coming from only one direction to my garden - it always attempted to lean towards it and I had it supported with canes around it two thirds of the way up in height. Which was ok as it's beautiful leaves (stunning after a shower) bushed out and covered the canes.
In February I decided to transplant it into a very large pot away from the middle of the garden. This doesn't look to have been the wisest move. It has thrown up new shoots but both the shoots and the leaves look wilting and have not become erect. It is in good compost - but I'm contemplating getting it back in soil again to see if it will pick up. It was always beautifully erect and strong so I'm kicking myself at having moved it at all.
My bet is that once May kicks in, it will revive. I keep it moist after having an initial couple of big drinks. I'm sure both yours and my own will perk up soon.
Last edited: 23 April 2017 19:13:59
Quick update: I've just dashed outside to take a look at mine in the pot. Blowing a gale - but new shoots have come up and it seems to have perked up after a watering can full of water this morning. I never looked back to check as I was so busy covering up seedlings in the beds and mulching perennials as we are expecting frost the next few evenings and perhaps some hail and sleet (Scotland)!
It doesn't look as droopy as it did! So if the frost and expected rotten weather doesn't go for it negatively, it looks strong enough (I think!) to perhaps stay in the pot.
I'm sure yours will be fine WillDB once it gets used to a new home.
Here's mine. I'll see what happens. If it stays droopy, I'll top it and just enjoy the foliage. Perhaps the stem will get a bit more woody? Currently it's fleshy and like a limp asparagus
Maybe I could give it some viagra?
LOL! I think that's normal droopy Will - the stems are fleshy as they are growing and it has feet to grow, which it will and by summer it will be tall and firm and the flowers are gorgeous. Well worth it. It looks fine and maybe just keep it moist. Mine were very droopy yesterday but look as if they're doing fine now. Don't chop down any of yours. It will grow fine.