Thalictrum dioicum (early meadow rue)

Flowers and foliage are equally lovely on this woodland beauty. The male flowers look like greenish-gold tassels, while female flowers show hints of pink. The mounded foliage lasts through fall and is good at filling bare spots from dormant spring ephemerals.

Wind-pollinated, so plant a few to ensure seed production. Spreads slowly by rhizome.

Photo 2, Photo 3: Joshua Mayer / CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo 4: Doug McGrady / CC BY 2.0