Galega officinalis 'Alba'

RHS Plant Profile
goat's rue 'Alba'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Galega officinalis 'Alba'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
goat's rue 'Alba' RHS 2002
Herbaceous Perennial
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
15 Suppliers

A robust perennial with pinnate leaves and erect racemes 15cm in length, of pure white flowers 2cm across, in summer and early autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Fabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Galega are robust bushy perennials with pinnate leaves and axillary racemes of pea-like flowers in summer and autumn
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any, preferably moist soil, in full sun or partial shade. Needs staking and may spread in rich soils

Propagation

Propagate by division between late autumn and spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back flowered stems to prevent self-seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to pea and bean weevil

Diseases

Generally disease-free