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Ruta graveolens (Rue)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.8m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Ruta graveolens
Other names
Rue, Common rue, Herb of grace, Ave grace, Bitter herb, Countryman's treacle, Herb grace, Herb impia, Herb of repentance, Ruth, Serving man's joy
Genus
Ruta Ruta
Species
R. graveolens - 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.
Ruta graveolens is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Foliage has a citrus-like fragrance.
Habit
Rounded, Upright
Toxicity
Foliage causes severe skin irritation. Dangerous to ingest if pregnant.
Flower
Yellow in Summer
Foliage
Blue-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free. Deer resistant.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 10 after flowering or in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Ruta graveolens (Rue) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.8m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises, Wildlife
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.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Ruta graveolens
Other names
Rue, Common rue, Herb of grace, Ave grace, Bitter herb, Countryman's treacle, Herb grace, Herb impia, Herb of repentance, Ruth, Serving man's joy
Genus
Ruta Ruta
Species
R. graveolens - 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.
Native to
Southeastern Europe
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Foliage has a citrus-like fragrance.
Habit
Rounded, Upright
Toxicity
Foliage causes severe skin irritation. Dangerous to ingest if pregnant.
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Colour
Flower
Yellow in Summer
Foliage
Blue-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free. Deer resistant.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 10 after flowering or in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Ruta graveolens (Rue) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.8m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises, Wildlife
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.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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