RUTA graveolens. Rue. Southeastern Europe. This is an old-fashioned medicinal shrub of the citrus family (more properly, the rue family), still used as a folk remedy for colds, coughs and other assorted ailments. It is a dense, round, rather rigid shrub, growing 2’ high or a little more in the typical form. The entire plant, except the flowers, is chalky blue in color and oddly aromatic. The leaf blades are about 2" long, nearly triangular in outline and twice-divided, with small oval leaflets. Small yellow 5-petalled flowers are borne in loose clusters at the shoot tips in summer. Our current offering is a dwarf, very congested form, received from Wayne Roderick. This is an interesting small shrub for a sunny spot, thriving in most soils, with moderate to occasional watering. Read about the medicinal uses before experimenting; some people are allergic to the juices. Hardy to around 0^oF.