Thalictrum Delavayi Hewitt’s Double
Thalictrum Delavayi Hewitt’s Double
The Thalictrum Delavayi Hewitt’s Double differs considerably from the majority of the Thalictrums grown in our gardens
Performance in our garden
This Thalictrum was grown in our Cheshire garden. I tried it several times in our Aberdeen garden where it did flower, however it was more robust in Cheshire.
Planted in the main centre border of the back garden where it received full sun, Hewitt’s Double in spite of being six feet (180cm) tall did not look out of place.
Support with a single cane was sufficient in preventing this giant from toppling over.
Planted in the Spring of 2014, Hewitt’s Double strengthened in the three seasons.
Now we are back in Scotland, living in East Fife, will we give this Thalictrum a chance to grace the garden, probably not.
The truth is we now have a very small garden which is going to require a great deal of planning. I somehow think more formality than our usual style will be in order, not really sure at this stage.
However, given the right garden and positioning, I would have no hesitation in recommending Thalictrum Delavayi Hewitt’s Double.
Plant profile
The Thalictrum Delavayi Hewitt’s Double is a mid/late Summer flowering perennial.
With sprays of purple/lilac blooms, you would be forgiven for thinking this plant was a form of Gypsophila rather than a Thalictrum.
I guess I have been more familiar over the years with forms of Thalictrum aquilegiifolium.
Hewitt’s double with its very fine blue/green leaves also brings to mind the maidenhair fern.
As I mentioned earlier, Hewitt’s double struggled in our Aberdeen garden. I at first thought it may have been the acidic soil, however, it seems that this plant does cope with alkaline and acidic conditions well enough. I guess the milder conditions in Cheshire suited it.
Growing it in a sunny position and not allowing the plant to dry out worked well for us, although it is said to also fair well in a semi-shaded spot
Hardiness – fully hardy in most parts of the UK.( May struggle in the most northerly areas)
Position – full sun/part shade
Height – 5/6ft/ 150/180cm
flowering – july/august
Soil – any well-drained soil enriched with garden compost.
Common name – chinese meadow rue
Mail order – this mail order company would suggest that it may well thrive in some northern parts.
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More news on our move back to Scotland
I made a start on this post a few weeks ago and had to give up as the work involved in moving and getting settled in was taking its toll.
The interior of the house is now complete and looking hunky dory.
Time to get going with the garden. My instructions for the front, involves creating a garden with a distinct Japanese feel to it.
This will be achieved by following a regime handed out by, well you know who.
The back garden as you can see, is small. A few crooks and crannies with container plants will add a bit of interest.
The front drive is unusually massive for a new build.
I am now no longer able to drive due to the deterioration in my eyesight. I knew this was coming at some point, perhaps a bit sooner than I had bargained for.
On the upside, we will turn the upper part of the drive into a courtyard garden.
Well, I have made a start on the garden and will give an update on my next post.
© 2017, Alistair. All rights reserved.
I haven’t visited for a while so hadn’t realised you are moving / have moved again. (East Fife . . . cold! blue sky! frost! windy! ? ? ? ) I’ve been going back through your posts trying to find one which explains why you have returned to Scotland. If there is one . . could you give me a link? (This is pretty radical – and a very different garden!)
Hi Lucy, the picture you paint of Fife makes it seem rather bleak, blue sky is not so bad though. I have made reference to our move in the last few posts. Haven’t made that big a deal of it though.
Lovely as Cheshire was, Scotland is our home.
Not in the least meaning it to sound bleak. I used to live in Fife and miss the cold. I’ve never quite got used to the south coast of England. It’s all very well for holidays – indeed it’s stunningly wonderful for holidays – but it rarely seems to have any real ‘weather’. Summer all year round is fine if you can take it but three day frosts . . . well, perversely, I miss three day frosts!
Lucy, temperature in Cheshire was just perfect for me, not too hot and not too cold. Nevertheless I am going to embrace the change and will make the best of any decent days.
Hello Alistair nice to here from you again and so sorry to here you have bad eyesight now and had to give up gardening.
You have a big garden to turn into a stunning garden like Aberdeen .Good luck .
It does sound nic eand making a courtyard garden will be lovley.
Thanks for dropping by Kathleen, I haven’t given up gardening but have had to stop driving. Its not a big garden, but we will make the best of it.
Hi Alistair, good to see you are now settled in your new home; I so enjoy receiving your emails and reading your blogs. I live on the West coast of Canada on Vancouver Island, but am originally from North London, UK. I wish you both well, I am in your age bracket so appreciate this age thing. All the best , I so look forward to seeing the progression of your garden. Lucky neighbours, they’re in for a treat. Take care, Maureen.
Thank you Maureen, so nice to hear from you. Myra had an aunt who moved with her family from Aberdeen to Vancouver island back in the 60s, they were very happy there. Myra is responsible for the design of the front garden this time, she suffers from a bad back so I am the labourer, I think it is going to look really good.
A smaller garden can be more fun. Each little bit has to work hard for its keep. Can’t wait to see what you do with the various bits.
Getting stuck in now Diana, never before used mail order do often.
Hello Alistair — it’s lovely to hear from you again. I didn’t realize meadow rue grew so tall — I don’t know why I don’t grow it — it’s so pretty. I’m sure your wife especially is glad to be back ‘home.’ You have another clean slate to work with! Exciting! You will do a great job, I know. I love courtyard gardens and look forward to seeing yours. P. x
Hello Pam, Yes, Myra is back to her former self after three years of being unsettled.
Hi, Alistair!
Finally you have moved and think about the new garden creation. I love this stage in gardening, it’s important time. I have Thalictrum aquilegifolium in my garden, it grows well and in some times does self-seeding. Your is pretty, love this color.
Hi Nadezda, it is a relief to finally be settled in. The garden is in the process of being created.
I am looking forward to seeing your new garden take shape! Your space has marvelous potential. I have admired thalictrum in books but doubt it will grow here. I would love to find something similar on a smaller scale that will take high heat .
Hi Debs, I guess Thalictrum would struggle in excessive heat. I would welcome a little more heat where we now live, although its not that bad.
What a beautiful and airy plant! I don’t think that is something I see commonly planted at all here. I hope you are settling in well. That is always sad to leave a garden, but I know you will enjoy planning and planting this new one.
Starting to look like a garden now.
Hello Alistair, I’m sure you’ll settle very quickly back into Scotland, I got the impression that you never really wanted to leave it for Cheshire. The new house and garden is such a blank canvas. I’m imagining lots of acers and foliage plants perhaps with some rocks and water for a Japanese theme. I’m looking forward to seeing your third garden develop. I know it will be – as always – immaculately beautiful.
Hi Sunil, loads of plans on the go, just getting stuck in.
I am sorry that your eyesight is deteriorating and that you have had to stop driving. I hope that you are adjusting to life without your car.
I am just wondering how long it will be before you crowbar out the odd paviour or six and replace them with planting 😉 A lady in my last village managed to have a flowering driveway with two little wheel runs through it – so pretty and practical, although she had a gravel drive which won’t fall apart in quite the same way as paving!
Wishing you lots of happiness in your new home. I look forward to seeing your garden develop. If it is anything like your last one it will be looking wonderful in no time at all!
Hello Sarah, surprising how we can adapt to changing circumstances. The driveway, we are considering putting a dividing gate and fence part way up the drive and make a secluded courtyard garden.
That is a beautiful plant. Your house is coming along wonderfully and looks so cute. I know the garden you plan will be as beautiful as your last.
It may not be as colourful Donna, but its time for a change.
Hi Alistair, I am so pleased that your move seems to have gone well as I myself will be on the move in the next 12 months although I am not sure exactly where to. You seem to have a reasonable area to go at and no doubt by the end of summer you will have transformed it in your usual inimitable fashion. I wish you all the very best for the future.
Hi Rick, good to hear from you. Settling in fine, moving involves so much tiresome stuff. You are also thinking of moving, I didn’t expect that, choose wisely and good luck, I will keep my eye on your developments.
The plant is beautiful..
I look forward to seeing your courtyard garden.:)
Hi Alastair,
What an exciting new project. The house looks lovely, and it will of course be transformed when the garden takes shape. I wish you all the best in getting settled in your new home, and with your new chapter of life. xx
Thanks Sue, starting to take shape now.