Ruta chalepensis

RHS Plant Profile

fringed rue

Other common names

Sicilian rue

Synonyms

Ruta bracteosa
Ruta tenuifolia Bubani

Herbaceous Perennial Shrubs

An upright sub-shrub with blue-green, aromatic, multi-lobed leaves and clusters of small, dark yellow, cup-shaped flowers with fringed petals in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
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): H4
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rutaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: TOXIC to skin with sunlight. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets skin with sunlight (dogs) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Ruta can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or woody-based perennials with aromatic, pinnately lobed leaves and yellow flowers with 4 or 5 fringed petals in terminal clusters
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S Europe, Arabia, Somalia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Will thrive in a hot dry site

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 10 in spring or after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free