Ruta graveolens
Rue, Herb of Grace
- Height × spread
- 0.45m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This plant has blue-green foliage consisting of smooth, fine leaves held in rather flat sprays. It looks quite feathery and forms a good dome in the border or growing with old roses. There are yellow flowers in midsummer which complement the foliage. The plant has a curious, slightly acrid scent. Rue has traditionally been called the herb of grace, or the herb of repentance and is bitter tasting. It was thought to be protective, particularly against witches. It was also used by innkeepers who gave it to their customers to safeguard their journeys.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Blue
- Stem colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.45m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Prairie garden, Mediterranean garden, Herb garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Rabbit resistant
- Hazards
- Yes, plant with caution; Humans: CAUTION toxic to skin with sunlight
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - mid · Planting
Prune young growth
Remove most of the young growth that the plant has made in the previous season. Leave just around 2 centimetres of young growth on the plant. Don't cut into old wood unless it is diseased or damaged.