rue

a.k.a. herb of grace, herbygrass
latin name: ruta

zone:  4-8
type: perennial
light: full sun
height: 12-18” (30-45 cm)

description:  Unique blue-green leaves are divided into small, rounded, oval lobes and have an unusual musky scent, which acts as an effective fly deterrent.  Small, yellow waxy flowers with four or five petals blooms in summer.  Rue makes an attractive addition to the garden.  

harvest:  Pick leaves to use fresh or to dry for medicinal use as required.

uses:  Rue is grown for its medicinal properties.  This herb can be used in the kitchen, but is very bitter.   Seeds are ground as an ingredient of Ethiopian spice mixtures.   In the home, dried rue will deter ants, and rue added to floral displays will deter flies.