Rue Ruta graveolens
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ROO-tah grah-vay-OH-lens
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Rue is a 2-3 foot tall and wide shrub-like perennial herb with aromatic evergreen fern-like, leaves. It grows well in full sun, moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil. It is a hardy plant that is deer resistant and tolerates drought, 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 spring.
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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ruta
- Species:
- graveolens
- Family:
- Rutaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The growing or the dried plant can be used to repel insects.
- 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
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer and drought resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Brown capsule splits to revel several dark seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small dull yellow flowers in terminal, erect clusters.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- 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:
- Leaves are aromatic when bruised, deeply lobed and appearing 2-pinnately divided, gland-dotted, and fern-like. Leaves have a bitter taste.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
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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
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Contact with the skin will cause short-term irritation and you should wear gloves when working with the plant. Ingestion can cause stomach pain, vomiting, exhaustion, confusion, and convulsions and can be fatal.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Furocoumarins; rutin, a volatile oil; alkaloids; coumarin derivatives.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
