Ruta graveolens | Common Rue | Herb of Grace | Herbygrass | 20_Seeds

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This is Ruta graveolens, also known as Common Rue, Garden Rue, Herb of Grace, and Herbygrass. Rue grows to about 2 feet high and blooms in the middle of the Summer. This plant needs all of the sun it can get so plant it somewhere where it will get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. All parts of this plant are poisonous if consumed in large quantities. That being said, Rue is considered one of the national herbs of Lithuania, and it is also their national plant. Traditionally a bride would wear a crown of Rue to symbolize her virginity. Rue was an herb which was used more in former times, and is not used to much of an extent in modern cuisine. It is used to make berbere which is a spice mixture used in Ethiopia food. The leaf is bitter and has been used by many people in the Mediterranean (Romans, Greeks, Croatians, etc...). Cats do not seem to like this plant and it can be used as a cat deterrent by placing it somewhere that you want to keep the cat away from. As you would guess it is deer resistant. This plant has been used artistically in several cultures from Shakespear, to Gullivers Travels, to ancient mythology. It is a larval host plant for the Old World Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, Broad-banded Swallowtail, King Swallowtail, and Asian Swallowtail butterflies. USDA Hardiness Zones 6b to 11