Rue is usually grown as an ornamental because of its blue-green foliage and because it is a host plant to several swallowtail butterflies. Although it is short-lived around 5 years , it will self-seed to replace itself. The flowers are yellow in clusters held above the foliage in spring. No serious insect or disease problems. Root rot may occur, particularly in poorly drained soils. Wear long sleeves and gloves when pruning or handling the foliage. Domesticated Rue should not be mistaken for African Rue which was an introduced, deep-rooted, perennial plant in the Caltrop family plants with spiked seed casings.
The forage value of this plant is poor for livestock and wildlife, and the plant is extremely unpalatable, poisonous to livestock and is consumed only when animals are starving. This plant has become an invasive plant in parts of the country and difficult to eradicate. In the past, the use of an herb that imparted a bitter undertone to a dish, balancing the sweet, sour, salty, and hot flavors was important, but it is less so today.
Both the leaf and the seed, are an important addition to brewing a pot of traditional Ethiopian coffee. Due to the plants low use as a culinary herb, Rue has fallen out of grace in the garden. Thus, this has become the forgotten herb. This heirloom herb remains virtually unchanged since ancient times. There has been no hybridizing or even selecting out strains of the plant. What you grow in your garden will be a direct descendant of the same plant found growing in its native habitat of the Mediterranean region and parts of Western Asia.
The fresh leaves are less strong than the dried leaves, and the seeds have a slight hotness, too. While there are many folk medicine and homeopathic uses for Rue, most current medical resources caution against using the herb.
The primary reason appears to be the danger of using too much. This is a quick and inexpensive way to replace mature plants that are nearing the end of their life cycle, as rue plants only live around five years. The best time to take cuttings is in the late summer from new growth, but be sure to wear protective clothing during the process. Here's how:. Rue is easy to start from seeds in the garden or in trays.
The soil must be at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit for germination, and some light must reach the seeds. When the seedlings develop at least two sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted into the garden or into larger pots. Rue plants will self-seed, sometimes aggressively, in warm regions. You can collect the brown seed capsules in late summer after flowering to plant elsewhere.
You can use any well-draining potting mix for rue in containers. Repotting is necessary when you see roots coming out of the drainage holes of the pot. Remember to wear protective clothing when repotting.
The bluish foliage of rue plants marries well with plants that have golden foliage, such as the gold cultivars of oregano , sage , or thyme. These herbs all like the same sunny, dry conditions and well-drained soil that rue thrives in, so they blend well in mixed containers.
Aim to do this before frost hits in the fall. In fact, if you see caterpillars feeding on your rue plants, don't spray them. It's likely they are swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, which use rue as a host plant and benefit your entire garden.
The primary disease issue that can affect rue is root rot from wet soils. So ensure that your plants are never waterlogged. Rue is a perennial, coming back every year, but it doesn't tend to be long-lived. However, it will self-seed to produce new plants in the garden. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.
Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance.
Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.
Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. In This Article Expand.
0コメント