Ruta graveolens
Weinraute
Common names: Gartenraute, Weinkraut
Photo: Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Ruta graveolens, commonly known as wine rue, is a blue‑green, evergreen semi‑shrub native to the Mediterranean. It has finely divided leaves that emit a strong, herbaceous, bitter aroma. Historically it has been cultivated as a spice and medicinal herb, but its sap is phototoxic and can cause painful skin irritation and blistering when exposed to sunlight. The plant is also used ornamentally for its silvery blue foliage.
Care instructions
Wine rue prefers a sunny, warm spot with well‑drained, somewhat sandy or loamy soil; it does not tolerate standing water. Water only after the topsoil has dried, and fertilize sparingly. After late‑summer flowering, prune to keep the plant compact and encourage dense growth next year. In containers it survives winter best in a bright, cool location; in the garden it is usually winter hardy when planted in a sheltered spot. When harvesting on sunny days, wear long sleeves and gloves to protect against skin irritation from the sap.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, lean, lime-loving, dry
Feeding
Light feeder
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