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Ruta graveolens Family - rutaceae Rue is really a perennial herb, but certain qualities it has makes it a candidate for the perennial garden. It is semi-evergreen, here in southern Indiana, maintaining a green color until almost Christmas most years. The yellow flower, while not spectacular, is showy. The blue green foliage and oval leaves are ornamental and attractive in the garden. Rue is also a food plant for various butterfly species, the flower providing an early spring treat, and the foliage enjoyed by the caterpillars. Rue flowers in early June here in southeastern Indiana. It is native to southern Europe and northern Africa. No longer found wild in its native range, it does self seed and the plant can become locally naturalized anywhere in poor, dry soil. Rue is somewhat fragrant, the natural oils produced throughout the entire plant can cause some skin irritations among some people who are sensitive to it. This perennial herb does have various herbal qualities which will not be covered in the scope of this short article. Rue is best propagated by seed, saving the seed heads after the flower has dried and planting it the following spring is a good practice. Or just wait for it to re-seed itself and replant the resulting seedlings where desired. Rue can also be propagated by cuttings taken in mid summer, though I have never done this. |
