Traditional, aromatic, and wonderfully distinctive, Ruta graveolens is an old-fashioned herbaceous perennial with finely divided blue-green foliage and a bold garden presence. Commonly known as rue, this easy-care perennial has been grown for centuries in herb gardens, cottage gardens, Mediterranean-style plantings, and drought-tolerant landscapes. Its soft, ferny leaves bring cool color and texture to sunny beds, while small yellow flowers add a cheerful seasonal note and attract beneficial insects.

Growing approximately 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, Ruta graveolens forms a rounded, shrubby mound that works beautifully as a textural accent, informal edging plant, or companion in sunny mixed borders. Its blue-green foliage pairs wonderfully with lavender, salvias, santolina, yarrow, rosemary, thyme, ornamental grasses, and other drought-tolerant perennials that create a layered, water-wise garden scene. It is especially useful where gardeners want structure, fragrance, and foliage contrast rather than relying on flowers alone.

Plant Ruta graveolens in full sun with well-drained soil and low to moderate water once established. Tough, deer-resistant, and well suited to dry garden conditions, rue is a resilient choice for gardeners who appreciate useful, historic, and beautifully textured plants. Handle with care, as the foliage may irritate sensitive skin. Explore more long-lasting favorites in our Perennials & Biennials collection.

We guarantee that the plants we sell are healthy and viable at the time they leave our care.

If a plant arrives in substandard condition, please take clear photographs and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. To ensure eligibility under this guarantee, we strongly encourage you to open and unpack your shipment immediately upon delivery and inspect the plants thoroughly.

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$14.99 flat rate for up to 6 plants is for standard FedEx/UPS Ground shipping to eligible states only. $19.99 for up to 12 plants. Plants being shipped to the following states are sent via Express Mail to help ensure they arrive quickly and healthy. 

(AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV)
(list of states subject to change seasonally due to extreme heat or cold conditions)

We cannot ship Annie's Annuals plants to P.O. boxes or outside the continental U.S.

Individual plants are shipped in 4" pots and we ship in boxes of 4, 6, 8, or 12 plants per box.

For more details, read our full Ordering and Shipping Policies

Get your plants off to a strong start with our care guide.

Download the Plant Care Guide (PDF)