Garden Pic Wednesday: Herb-of-Grace
Or Common Rue. It's also called Garden Rue, German Rue or Countryman's-treacle. It's formal name is Ruta graveolens L. Common Rue This herb is my newest plant acquisition this year and it's quite striking looking with it's lacy leaves and blue-green color. It's classed as a medicinal herb, though I'm growing it strictly as an ornamental shrub in particular to attract Giant Swallowtails, because it's a menu item for their caterpillars. In my climate, it will winter over as an pretty evergreen and should grow to around 24 inches tall & broad. It's hasn't flowered yet, but I understand it does flower small yellow blossoms that are reputed to be quite unpleasant smelling. The plant itself is also reputed to repel many insects. One thing to know about Rue is it should be handled with gloves and long sleeves when planting it. The leaves have an oil in them that is irritating to the skin, like a very slight stinging or burning, ...