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Rue Seeds
About...
Rue (Ruta Graveolens) - Grown from Rue seeds, this perennial ornamental herb is as versatile as it is lovely. Known as Herb of Grace, Garden Rue and Common Rue, it is a wonderful addition to the herb garden because it is evergreen and can be pruned and shaped into a hedge.MORE HERB OPTIONS
Herb Specifications
SEASON
Perennial
USDA ZONES
5 - 11
HEIGHT
18 - 24 inches
BLOOM SEASON
Mid summer
BLOOM COLOR
Yellow
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun
SOIL TYPE
Poor, dry, well-drained, sandy soils
Planting Directions
TEMPERATURE
68F
AVERAGE GERM TIME
7 - 14 days
LIGHT REQUIRED
Yes
DEPTH
Surface sow seed, do not bury
SOWING RATE
2 - 3 seeds per plant
MOISTURE
Keep seeds moist until germination
PLANT SPACING
15 - 18 inches
Rue (Ruta Graveolens) - Grown from Rue seeds, this perennial ornamental herb is as versatile as it is lovely. Known as Herb of Grace, Garden Rue and Common Rue, 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 herb plant has yellow flower clusters covering most of the plant.
As a medicinal herb, Garden Rue herb 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.
How To Grow Rue From Herb Seeds: Sow Rue seeds directly outdoors when the soil temperature is at least 65 degrees. The herb seeds can have an erratic germination, so be patient and keep the seeds moist. Rue needs a location in full sun, and it thrives in poor sandy soils. Water the Common Rue plant regularly until it is well-established and during prolonged drought conditions. Under normal conditions, Herb Of Grace plants do not need to be watered. Mulch the base of the plant to protect it from frost damage in winter. Garden Rue herb 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.
Ornamental Herb
Rue not only has a variety of herbal functions, but it also simply looks nice in the garden! The plant features fresh green foliage and airy yellow flower clusters.
Useful Garden Herb
How To Grow
Rue seeds can be sown directly outdoors when the soil temperature has warmed to at least 65F degrees. These seeds have an erratic germination, so keep the soil moist and be patient. Rue needs a location of full sun, and it thrives in poor sandy soils. Water this plant regularly until it is well-established and during prolonged drought conditions. Mulch the base of the plant to protect it from frost damage in the winter. These plants do nicely in containers. Rue readily self-seeds, so deadhead spent blooms if this is not desired.
- Environment: full sun
- Average germ time: 7-14 days
- Soil: poor and well-drained
Plant Information
Rue is an annual herb that grows in USDA zones 5 through 11. It is an especially useful plant for inviting pollinators to the garden, with bees and butterflies being particularly fond of this plant. It also has a strong scent that repels unwanted critters such as animal and Japanese beetles.
- Bloom color: yellow
- Bloom season: mid summer
- Height: 18-24 inches
Flower Specifications
SEASON
Perennial
USDA ZONES
5 - 8
HEIGHT
24 - 36 inches
BLOOM SEASON
Late spring through summer
BLOOM COLOR
Mix
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun
SOIL TYPE
Well-drained, pH 5.8 - 6.8
DEER RESISTANT
Yes
LATIN NAME
Verbascum Phoenicium
Planting Directions
TEMPERATURE
68F
AVERAGE GERM TIME
14 - 21 days
LIGHT REQUIRED
Yes
DEPTH
Do not cover the seed but press into the soil
SOWING RATE
8 seeds per plant
MOISTURE
Keep seeds moist until germination
PLANT SPACING
18 - 24 inches
CARE & MAINTENANCE
Verbascum (Verbascum Phoenicium Hybrids Mix) - This free flowering mix grown from Verbascum seeds will give your garden weeks of lovely colors. Commonly called Purple Mullein, this plant has dark green, crinkly leaves and beautiful spikes of papery-thin, round 5 - petaled blooms in shades of white, rose, and violet. The Purple Mullein plant starts blooming from the bottom of the spike and proceeds upward, opening one by one. Mullein flowers look lovely in a mixed border, and they can bloom from late spring up until the first frost. It is both deer and rabbit resistant, and butterflies love it! Verbascum flowers are excellent for cutting as well. Also considered to be a medicinal herb, the Mullein herb has diuretic, analgesic, expectorant, and antiseptic properties.
How To Grow Mullein From Seed: Plant Mullein seeds indoors 6 - 8 weeks before last frost date. Lightly press the Verbascum flower seeds into the soil, but do not cover with soil since the seeds need light to germinate. Keep constantly moist, not wet, and the herb seeds will germinate in 14 - 21 days. For outdoor sowing, wait until frost danger has passed, and sow Purple Mullein seeds directly into prepared seed bed. Spacing should be about 18 - 24 inches apart. Verbascum Mullein will bloom the first year if the flower seeds are sown early enough in the season. Flowers can be left on to self-seed or can be deadheaded to encourage more blooming.