Rue - Ruta graveolens
100 Seeds
Sow April - May
Hardy evergreen perennial.
Height and spread 60cm (2ft).
Prefers a well-drained, poor soil and a sunny position.
Sow in Spring. Cover the seed and keep moist. The seed should germinate relatively quickly at a temperature of 15- 20o C.
The root is cream coloured and fibrous. The round, chalky, blue-green stem becomes woody in the second year. The small, rounded, lobed leaves are blue-green and are dotted with oil glands. Frilled, slipper-shaped, greenish-yellow flowers appear in late summer. Plant next to cucumbers to reduce beetles and next to roses and raspberries to reduce Japenese beetles.
Rue
Also known as Herb of Grace and Herbygrass.
From the family Rutaceae.
Rue is a native of Southern Europe, especially the Mediterranean region. It was known as 'Herb of Grace', because it was regarded as a protector against the Devil, witchcraft and magic. It was used as an antidote to expel poisons from the system, such as those from toadstools to snake bites, scorpion, spider or jellyfish bites. Also it was placed near the judge before prisoners were brought out, as protection from the pestilence ridden gaols and gaol fever. Branches of Rue were used to sprinkle holy water before high mass. Rue is shown on the heraldic Order of the Thistle and is said to have inspired the design of the suit of clubs in playing cards.