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Ruta graveolens

Phonetic Spelling
ROO-tah grah-vay-OH-lens
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Common rue is an ornamental subshrub in the rue or citrus (Rutaceae) family that is native to the Balkin peninsula. It will grow 2-3 feet tall and wide with aromatic evergreen fern-like leaves and becomes woody with age. It is evergreen in warmer winter areas.

It grows well in full sun to part shade, moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil. It is a hardy plant that is deer resistant and tolerates drought and dry and rocky soil. Avoid wet soils and surround with mulch during the winter in northern zones. Prune back plants to old wood in early spring.

Rue is usually grown as an ornamental because of its blue-green foliage and because it is a host plant to several swallowtail butterflies. Although it is short-lived (around 5 years), it will self-seed to replace itself. The flowers are yellow in clusters held above the foliage in mid to late summer that attract various pollinators.

Use this plant in a pollinator garden, drought tolerant garden and in mass plantings for mid to late summer blooms

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Root rot may occur, particularly in poorly drained soils. Wear long sleeves and gloves when pruning or handling the foliage.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Herb & Flower Cottage Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#nectar plant#spring flowers#deer resistant#ornamentals#butterfly friendly#problem for dogs#bee friendly#host plant#contact dermatitis#perennial#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#nectar plant#spring flowers#deer resistant#ornamentals#butterfly friendly#problem for dogs#bee friendly#host plant#contact dermatitis#perennial#herb garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ruta
    Species:
    graveolens
    Family:
    Rutaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The growing or the dried plant can be used to repel insects.Also used in herbal medicine.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern Europe and the Balkans
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts pollinators. Host plant to the Black Swallowtail, Anise Swallowtail and Giant Swallowtail butterflies. Provides a breeding area for tiny parasitic wasps that control whiteflies.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    deer and drought resistant
    Edibility:
    In some countries, the leaves are used sparingly in dishes or teas but have a bitter flavor.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Brown capsule splits in 5 parts to revel several dark seeds
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small dull yellow flowers in terminal, erect clusters. The 5 yellow petals surround a green superior ovary
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Soft blue-green leaves are aromatic when bruised, deeply lobed and are 2-pinnately divided. They are gland-dotted and fern-like. Leaves have a bitter taste.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Soft green stems o new growth that become woody with age.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Short-lived
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Contact with the skin will cause short-term irritation and you should wear gloves when working with the plant. Ingestion of large amounts can cause stomach pain, vomiting, exhaustion, confusion, and convulsions. Potentially fatal. It is generally safe to use in small amounts and in a dried form.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Furocoumarins; rutin, a volatile oil; alkaloids; coumarin derivatives.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves