Rue Herb

The rue herb (ruta graveolens) has an unusual blue-green color and soft texture making it a striking accent plant.

Even if you never harvest it, you'll enjoy it in a perennial border where its foliage can set off silvers, whites, and purples.

While rue is a great accent plant, its not a good companion plant for many species, so choose a location to plant it with care.

Rue dosen't have any culinary uses, and is mainly grown for its beautiful yellow to yellow-green flowers.

Always be very careful when handling rue! Some people can develop small blisters to a severly painful rash.

Description

Rue is a perennial herb that grows to 3 feet tall in zones 4 to 9.

Flowers: Clusters of yellow to yellow-green 1/2 inch flowers bloom at the top of the plant in midsummer.

Leaves: Rue's evergreen foliage is an attractive blue-green color. The alternate 3 to 5 inch long leaves consist of smaller, rounded leaflets that are sometimes covered with a whitish powder.

Flavor and fragrance: Rue is not recommended for internal use; it has a strong, bitter aroma.

How To Grow

When to plant: Rue seedlings grow slowly, so you may want to buy a plant instead. Start the seeds indoors at least eight weeks before your last spring frost. Wait until the seedlings reach 2 to 3 inches tall before transplanting them to the garden in late spring. Take the cuttings or layer the plants in spring and early summer.

Where to plant: Rue prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.

Soil and fertility: Plant in well-drained soil of low to moderate fertility.

Plant spacing: Space the plants 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart.

Pests: Pest-free

Diseases: Susceptable to root rot in poorly drained soils or when overwatered.

Harvesting

When to harvest: Harvest the stems with leaves before the plant flowers. For best quality, gather the leafy stems in the morning after the dew dries. Harvest the seedpods for dried arrangements in late summer when they are fully grown but not yet brown. For best success in drying seedpods, gather them in dry weather.

How to harvest: Cut at the base of the leaf stems. (See "Tips" below for harvesting precautions)

Drying: Hang the stems upside down to air dry.

Uses

Arrangements: Use the dried stems of the leaves and seedpods in dried arrangements.

Insect Repellent: Include the dried leaves of rue in pest-repelling cushions for your pet.

Tips

Many people are sensative to the oil contained in the leaves of rue herb and develop dermatitis ranging from small blisters to a severely painful rash if they come into contact with it. To be on the safe side, always wear gloves and long sleeves when working with this plant.