Oh, the white is stunning, another must acquire plant, where had you obtained Rogue? My "regular" 'Spendide' had faded out after so many years down to just a few small pieces. I dug and set in the garden to reestablish, though last year it along with most everything else had nearly drown out in sopping wet, this summer is warm and dry and it's doing much better ... love this plant and now that white!! :)

My "regular" 'Spendide' had faded out after so many years down to just a few small pieces

As you know it was your posted picture of your "Splendide" many years ago that led directly to my obsession with this variety of thalictrum.

(FWIW I have found that relocating one's "Splendide" once you start to see its decline seems to rejuvenate it. I have had the "regular" one, shown above for probably 12 years and I bet I have moved it 4 times.)

I first got "White" from a superb nursery in BC which alas is no more. But @FrozeBudd_z3/4, I am hoping I can 'snag' one for you for 2025; leave it to me.

Yes, just as with pretty well all perennials they require a dig and divide every so often. Problem with where I had it sited becomes a bit wet in some years, though otherwise is perfect placement being next to the stairway railing for support, with one or two heaping wheelbarrows of soil I'll bring the grade up and again situate it there. Ahhh, you're too kind as always, I'll send some real gems your way in return, even if you say you're running out of space. :)

just as with pretty well all perennials they require a dig and divide every so often.

I have to sheepishly admit (kind of like blurting out that one doesnt floss ;)) that it is rare that I dig and divide for purposes of health; it is almost always to "divide" i.e. for propagation purposes. But it seems from my experience that these Splendides do benefit from being dug up and moved.

Ah, rouge - this post title grabbed my attention, of course, as you were the one who piqued my interest in this fabulous plant initially, years ago. I am still drooling over your specimens, and I especially love the 'original' specimen also. You have no idea how much I wish mine would thrive, but, alas, they pale in comparison. I have tried it in several locations, but they simply turn up their noses and fade away.

The last remaining one I have actually returned this year, albeit rather scrawny with only one bloom, but at least it is trying. I wonder if moving it (now) might encourage it to bulk up and become as gorgeous as I know it could. Nothing to lose, really, as I fully expect it to snivel and sneer at my efforts.

But never say die, sez I, and that's what I plan to do. If it doesn't thrive, I shall have to just move on and cease my love of this plant. It's hard to face this struggle over and over again. Darn it!

I am still drooling over your specimens,

As I said, I have 5 Splendides and 2 of them are doing zilch! It does seem that it is hit and miss as to whether they thrive or not. @roxana, I say "move it"!

as you were the one who piqued my interest in this fabulous plant initially, years ago

Yup for sure that is me that does this topic each and every August. Thanks all for humouring me. As I said, *if* I had to choose it would be my fave perennial.

I have no idea how all your plants manage to look so splendiferous Rouge - mine, in an admittedly crowded space, rarely tops 4 feet...not really much more than the basic delavayii album. OTOH, Thalictrum Glaucum really does get large.

Thanks for sure 'rosa'. Just as I talk lots to my cats I do similarly with these Splendides. 3 of them like my yakkin' but it appears that 2 of them would rather I stay quiet ;).

I am always a bit surprised at how small the roots are for these Splendides. I have moved established ones several times, most recently last month and the roots barely went 6" down!

Ah, I have a coupla new thalictrums which are showing world-beating tendencies - Thalictrum Glaucum 'Tukker Princess'. I have had plain old glaucum for a few years (I love the blue/green foliage) but TP is supposedly a much improved robust version (of what is already quite a chunky plant). Thalictrums do not love my lean soil but I persist because they are such lovely plants.

I am going to move my splendide this year as it has been slowly diminishing and obviously needs a bit of a nudge. Will grow it with Stipa Ichu, patrinia scabiosifolia and selinum wallichianum in a tall perennial revival (after a coupla years of teeny cushion plants and alpines).

Dont get mad at me HU etc if I ask in advance for some pictures ;)

Ahhh, yes, admiring this one today, but due to the most awful wretched summer ever, I did not get around to properly staking and for the top to flop over on itself and those rounded buds and flowers become interlocked that is futile to attempt to straighten the thing up, but am loving the dense pink cloud effect! Next year will be in its peak, the following sping will require routine necessary division, or otherwise the plant tends to up and evaporate! A exquisite must have perennial!

<le sigh -- again>

Thalictrum envy right now is overwhelming... If I survive the coming winter, I do believe I shall try some of these once more, in spite of past failures. Maybe a few different ones just to mix things up. Perhaps I'll get lucky -- at last! Lol.

Absolutely I N C R E D I B L E @FrozeBudd_z3/4. It was a picture like this that you posted probably close to 15 years ago that convinced me to give Splendide a try. A great plant I say.

That is a beauty for sure FB. It’s admired from afar 🥰

and those rounded buds and flowers become interlocked

That is the perfect word for it @FrozeBudd_z3/4! I know exactly what you mean.

What sun requirements does this Thalictrum have? And does it aggressively spread?

debra

An established Splendide is completely well behaved. I have griown it successfully from full sun to part shade in my *CDN* Zone 6 garden. But it for sure would requires more and more shade the further south one goes. (I am betting, given @FrozeBudd_z3/4 much more northern location that his Splendide can take full sun).

Roxanna, don't feel so bad, I first had planted Thalictrum 'Splendide' close to the east side of my house, where it had totally mildewed and runted out that I was fortunate to even save the thing! Then, fortunately had found the perfect placement in deep moist free draining soil where it has thrived! But, gees, I was sooo close to totally writing it off and forever forgetting about it, what a loss that would have been!

Now, now, gardenho, source the plant, set it within deep moist soils, tend it lovingly and sit back and think of me and rouge, LOL. :)

Debra, yes, as rouge points out, it stays very well behaved, does not spread and is sterile, blooms for a good 6 to 8 weeks for me or until hard frost. Again, its Achilles Heel is the need for routine digging and resetting of the plant, but otherwise not of difficult culture.

Rouge, do you have a preference between 'Spendide' and 'WS', or just love the two both equally well?

its Achilles Heel is the need for routine digging and resetting of the plant

Right on "Froze". It is weird that such frequent "resetting" of this plant is required.

For you who has lots of space it isnt too bad but it is problematic for me where every spot almost alway has something. I just recently 'reset' a regular splendide and I was proud of myself for finding a spot. (I am glad these plants take up such little horizontal space :)).

(And have you noticed how shallow the root system is...inches?!)

do you have a preference between 'Spendide' and 'WS'

Ah...good question.

I think I like both the same. When one has an exemplar specimen of either colour, they are the belle of the ball. One thing I have noticed about the White is it seems to bloom (well) in advance of 'regular' Splendide. Right now I have 3 Whites and one 'regular'.

These plants are spectacular. I have never understood why they are so hard to source and it has been like that forever.

And so @FrozeBudd_z3/4, if you havent been able to source a White by the time one of mine needs resetting I will send it along to you...promise.

I have been looking at thalictrum delavayi…… any suggestions about that one? I see nothing in all the stuff I’ve read about having to reset it routinely.

debra

I had never seen any reference anywhere online to needing to "reset" Splendide until I and 'Froze' experienced it first hand. Having said that debra, I admit I have had no experience with 'delavyi'.