What Are Rue Plants Used for?

Evergreen rue (Ruta graveolens) thrives in hot, sunny beds, where it requires almost no maintenance and rarely suffers from pests or diseases. Rue grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Although it's often classified as an herb, it serves many uses in the garden and can fit into a variety of garden bed designs. Rue causes allergic skin reactions in some people and just brushing past the plant can create blisters. Wear gloves when handling the plant.

Traditionally rue is used in herb gardens, although it's not typically used as a kitchen herb. The leaves have a bitter flavor and are toxic in large quantities, but it is sometimes mixed into dips or served in small quantities in salads for those that enjoy the musky flavor. The foliage can cause skin irritation for some people. It does provide evergreen foliage interest so the herb garden appears lush in all seasons. The strong-smelling foliage also helps repel insects, which makes it a useful companion to herbs that tend to attract pests.

Some varieties of rue have highly ornamental leaves suitable for use in cut flower arrangements, which makes rue a useful addition in a cut flower garden. For example, the "Variegata" variety features pale green leaves with white splotches and "Jackman's Blue" has deep blue-green leaves. The evergreen growth of these plants ensures you have year-round greenery to add to your seasonal arrangements. Interspersing a few different varieties of rue in a cutting garden provides a choice of readily accessible fillers with different colors and textures.

Sandy, dry soil that drains quickly is best for rue, so the plant makes a suitable addition to rock gardens and desert plantings. Newly planted rue needs regular watering so the top 6 inches of soil remain moist for the first summer, but once established, it thrives with little water. Rue grows up to 3 feet tall so it works well as a specimen or anchor plant in a smaller garden bed.

Rue tolerates heavy pruning so you can trim it into a symmetrical mound and use it to create a low formal border around garden beds or along walkways. Cutting back the old wood to the nearest new growth each spring before growth resumes results in full bushes. The scent of rue repels dogs and other animals, so it can help keep animal pests out of a flower or herb garden when used as a low hedge around a formal or informal bed.