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Ruta graveolens (Rue)

Other names: Common rue, Herb of grace, Ave grace, Bitter herb, Countryman's treacle, Herb grace, Herb impia, Herb of repentance, Ruth, Serving man's joy

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Species
R. graveolens is a rounded to erect, evergreen shrub with rounded to broadly ovate, aromatic, blue-green leaves divided into oblong lobes and cymes of cup-shaped, yellow flowers in summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1 m 0.8 m 5-10 years
3 ft 2 ft 5-10 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in a full sun or partial shade. Best in a hot, dry position. Deer resistant. A host plant for Black swallowtail, Anise swallowtail, and Giant swallowtail butterflies.

Suggested uses

Coastal, Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, City, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Wildlife, Wallside and trellises

UK hardiness

H5

USDA zones

Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8

Sunset zone

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 2, 3

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Moderate/Medium
Central Valley = Moderate/Medium
South Coastal = Low
South Inland = Moderate/Medium
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Upright, Rounded

Native to

Southeastern Europe

Drought tolerant

Yes

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Foliage has a citrus-like fragrance.

Toxicity

Foliage causes severe skin irritation. Dangerous to ingest if pregnant.

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 10 after flowering or in spring.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

Pests

Generally pest free. Deer resistant.

Diseases

Generally disease free.

Prune shrubs (optional)

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Plant container grown plants in moderately fertile, well-drained soil

Take semi-ripe cuttings

Plant in full sun or partial shade (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (3)

Ruta

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Ruta graveolens (any variety)
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Ruta graveolens (any variety) Rue (any variety)
Ruta graveolens 'Jackman's Blue'
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Ruta graveolens 'Jackman's Blue' Rue 'Jackman's Blue'
Ruta graveolens
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Ruta graveolens Rue
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Companion plants (0)

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