Promising Plants Profiles

Ruta montana

Genus: Ruta
Specific Epithet: montana
Common Names: Portuguese rue, mountain rue
Family: Rutaceae

Flower Color: yellow
Form: semi-evergreen subshrub
Hardiness Zone: 8, possibly 7
Height: 6-18'
Soil: well-drained soil
Sun: full sun

Uses: ornamental, bee plant, butterfly gardens, butterfly larval plant, medicinal (limited)

"This lovely rue has now been identified as Ruta montana. It was carried in Cy Hyde's catalog [Well-Sweep Herb Farm] for many years as Ruta 'Portuguese.'

Despite the name Portuguese rue, it occurs in the wild from southern Europe to northwest Africa and Turkey. It is a woody-based perennial that is hardy in Zone 8 – possibly in Zone 7. The leaves are finely cut and silvery gray. They have a fragrance similar to Ruta graveolens and Ruta chalepensis. This species begins flowering in early spring and continues through the summer. The small yellow flowers are attractive to both bees and butterflies and the larvae of black swallowtails. Plants grow to about 18 inches and make attractive silvery mounds which are a nice contrast to spring flowers such as poppies, larkspur and nasturtium, as well as flowering perennials.

Though several kinds of rue are used medicinally in some parts of the world, Portuguese rue is grown mainly as a fragrant ornamental herb.* Both flowers and foliage are attractive in arrangements but are likely to be toxic if consumed. We exercise caution when working around plants in hot sunny weather. Like other Ruta species, Ruta montana may cause photocontact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.**

This rue can be propagated by cuttings but is easily grown from seeds. There are no disease problems, and damaging insects are not a worry. Its main requirements are full sun and good drainage." – Madalene Hill, Promising Plants Presentation, 2005

* There is, however, at least one report of medicinal use of Ruta montana by traditional healers.
** Although reports of photocontact dermatitis from Ruta montana are rare, there is one published report of photocontact dermatitis from the flowers.

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