Rue

Rue (Ruta Graveolens) - Rue is a perennial ornamental herb. It is a wonderful addition to the herb garden because it is evergreen and can be pruned and shaped into a hedge. It is often used in knot gardens. The base becomes woody but the tips remain herbaceous. By mid-summer, the Rue plant has yellow flower clusters covering most of the plant.

As a medicinal herb, Rue has been used to rid the body of worms. It is antispasmodic and used to treat intestinal cramps. As a culinary herb, fresh leaves are used to flavor meats, cheese, and eggs. It has a rather bitter taste that goes well with acidic flavors and is used in pickling.

Rue needs a location in full sun. It thrives in poor sandy soils. Water the herb plant regularly until it is well-established and during prolonged drought conditions. Under normal conditions, Rue does not need to be watered. Mulch the base of the plant to protect it from frost damage in winter. Rue plants do nicely in containers. It readily self-seeds, so deadhead the spent flowers if this is not desired. Wear gloves when pruning as the plant oil can irritate sensitive skins.