Types Of Rue Flowers: What Are Rue Plants Used For

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, rue is a plant that belongs to the Rutaceae family and can be found in almost every part of the world. Rue flowers are usually blue or purple, but can also be pink or white. They are typically very small and have five petals that have a distinctive shape.  It is a plant that has been used for centuries in many ways, including as an herb to help manage ulcers and other digestive issues.

Violet color

Dittany of Crete

This type of rue has small leaves that are covered with white powder. The flowers on Dittany of Crete typically have purple streaks and grow in clusters .

Dittany of Crete is believed to be a plant from the Mediterranean region. However, it is also found in some other parts of North Africa and Europe as well. It is often planted around homes and has also been used as a perfume .

Some people believe that Dittany of Crete can be helpful in getting rid of head lice and spider webs, which makes it useful for some gardeners .

Pink color

Cinquefoil

Cinquefoil is a type of rue that contains flowers with dark pink petals and yellow centers. The leaves are typically very small, but also quite thick. Cinquefoil comes from the same plant family as Bee's Joy, and it may be found in some of the same areas . 

This type of rue is used like Bee's Joy in Asian countries, with some people placing it in or around their homes to ward off mosquitoes and other bugs. It may also be used to make a tea that can help reduce the amount of gas that a person has or help them get rid of bloating .

Figwort

Figwort is another type of rue that belongs to the same family as Garlic Rue, Bitter Rue and Eyebright. It has small light pink flowers with violet streaks on them . The leaves of Figwort are typically long and narrow . Figwort can be found nearly everywhere around the world, including Asia and Europe. This rue is typically only grown for decorative purposes.

Green color

Costmary Herba (male)

Costmary Herba is a type of rue that has many names. The most common ones are Costmary and Biting Thyme. It is also sometimes referred to as Knitbone . They say that the plant gets its name from the fact that when it was first discovered, people thought it had costmary oil in them because of how they smelled.

Costmary Herba has small green leaves that are dotted with purple spots and the flowers on it grow in clusters . It may be either a foot or two (30-60 cm) tall, depending on how well it has grown. Its stem is typically thin and brittle .

As you can probably guess by its names, Costmary Herba is used by many people for medicinal purposes. For example, it has been known to soothe the stomach and has also been used to cure upset stomachs .

Garlic Rue

Garlic rue is another type of rue that belongs to the same family as Bee's Joy. It has small green leaves that may be covered with a dusting of white powder, which gives it its gray-green color. Like other types of rue from this family, Garlic rue has small pink flowers that grow in clusters .

This is typically used as a culinary herb. In some countries around the world, Garlic rue may be eaten raw or cooked to add flavor to meals. It has also been used in medicines .

White color

Dutch White Clover

Dutch White Clover is a type of rue that has small white leaves and flowers. It is typically an annual flower that can grow much taller than the other types of rues, as it can reach up to 3 feet in height .

This type of rue is typically planted around homes or gardens and used for decorative purposes, but may also be grown for medicinal purposes. For example, in the Netherlands the leaves of this type of rue are used to make a tea that people drink as a remedy for earache .

Eyebright

Eyebright is a flower that belongs to the same family as Garlic Rue, Bitter Rue and Bee's Joy. It has small white flowers with purple streaks on them . Eyebright is typically grown near homes or gardens for decorative purposes as well as medicinal.

The leaves of this plant are used to make an eye ointment that has been known to help people with eye problems such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) and corneal ulcers .

Flower of the Cross 

Flower of the Cross is a type of rue that has small green leaves and white flowers with purple spots on them.

The smell of Flower of the Cross is strong enough that the flowers are often used in perfumes and potpourri .

Other rue flower

Bee's Joy

Bee's Joy is a type of rue that is grown and used in China. It typically has very small leaves and flowers that may be white, pink or purple in color. The flowers grow in clusters and are very fragrant. Typically, Bee's Joy is planted around homes to help repel mosquitoes and other insects .

It is also believed by some that placing Bee's Joy around a home will help bring good fortune to the people who live there and ward off evil spirits .

Bitter Rue

Bitter rue is a type of rue that has small gray-green leaves and white flowers with purple streaks. The flowers tend to grow in clusters and have an unpleasant smell. Bitter rue may be a little bit smaller than other types of rue, as it only grows up to 18 inches tall . 

While growing, the leaves of the rue are very bitter and should be handled with care.

Bitter rue is used in some countries for medicinal purposes. For example, people who live in China have been known to use it to make soups or teas that they drink to help soothe their stomachs .

Cleavers

It has small leaves that have a bit of a serrated edge and an unpleasant odor when they are crushed or touched. The flowers on this type of rue are typically white or pink in color, but may be found in other shades as well.

Dead Nettle

This is a rue. It has small green leaves and yellow flowers with purple spots . The flowers grow in clusters and are very fragrant, which means that it smells like honey when they are crushed or touched. Although the smell of Dead Nettle isn't as strong as some of the other types of rue, it is still pretty strong .

Dead Nettle is typically used in many parts of the world as a medicinal herb. For example, in Russia it has been known to help get rid of bloating and flatulence . In Germany some people use Dead Nettle to treat bee stings as well as other problems such as anemia and chickenpox .

Femme-de-Marat

Femme-de-Marat belongs to the same family as Garlic Rue, Bee's Joy and Bitter Rue. It typically has very small leaves and flowers that are either pink or white in color . The flowers grow in clusters with some purple streaks on them . Femme-de-Marat is often used for decorative purposes around homes or gardens , but it may also be grown for medicinal purposes.

Femme-de-Marat is believed by some to bring good luck and ward off bad spirits . It is a popular flower that can easily be found in many places around the world, such as China and India.

Four O'Clocks

Four O'Clocks is a type of rue that typically has red or white flowers and small purple leaves . The name "four o'clocks" comes from the fact that these types of rues are most commonly seen blooming in the early evening hours (between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.). Four O'Clocks is typically grown as an ornamental plant.

The flowers of Four-o'clocks are very fragrant and may be used in making perfumes, potpourri and tea . They also have a number of medicinal properties, including the ability to help relieve headaches by reducing pressure inside the head .

This is also known as a night blossom , since it only blossoms at night . It typically has white flowers that are about an inch wide, but these colors may vary depending on the variety . Some types of Four O'Clocks have pink or red flowers.

Lady's-Bedstraw (female) and Cleavers (male)

Lady's-Bedstraw belongs to the same family as Bee's Joy and Bitter Rue. It has small yellow or white flowers with purple streaks . The leaves are typically heart shaped, but are also described as being in a tear drop shape . 

Lady's-Bedstraw has a number of different names that are used in different parts of the world . For example, in some places people use the name "cleavers" to identify this type of rue because its leaves look like small pieces of fabric . In other places people use the name "sweet woodruff" to describe it .

Leopard's Bane

It typically has very small leaves and white or pale pink flowers . The flowers are said to smell like honey when they are crushed or touched, which is why some people refer to this plant as "sweet rue" . Leopard's Bane can be grown for decorative purposes.

Leopard's Bane is a popular herb that can be purchased in many places. However, there are very few instances of it being used for medicinal purposes .

Yarrow

It typically has small, bright green leaves with small white or creamy yellow flowers . Yarrow is used mainly for decorative purposes because of its pretty flowers.

In some cultures people have believed in superstitions about Yarrow, including the belief that if a stalk of Yarrow is hung above the door it will prevent any evil spirits from entering . Some people also use it for medicinal purposes. For example, in Ancient Greece Yarrow tea was thought to increase a person's courage and make him more persuasive when trying to persuade others .

It has been used as a natural remedy for treating health problems like nose bleeds and menstrual cramps . It is said to be good for colds and coughs . Yarrow has even been used as an insect repellent.

FAQS:

What is the difference between Femme De Marat and four O'Clocks?

Femme-de-Marat is typically a pink or white flower, whereas Four O'Clocks can be either. The leaves on Femme-de-Marat are long and narrow, whereas the leaves on Four O'Clocks are typically shorter and wider.

How do I care for my rue plant?

Water the soil when it reaches about a finger's width away from the top of the pot. Make sure to water until the water starts to drain out of the bottom of the pot.

Fertilize with an organic, liquid fertilizer every two weeks during active growth in spring and summer. Reservoir or foliar fertilizers can be used at other times.

Feed with a half-dose of a high-nitrogen fertilizer once a month in winter.

Protect from frost and cold winds by bringing indoors before temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably earlier if possible, or wrapping leaves in fabric that is warmed first so that the plant does not get shocked by the difference in temperature.

Mulch heavily to minimize moisture loss and protect roots.

Prune as needed to maintain shape and encourage growth of new stems or lateral branching; shearing is recommended over pinching since it encourages bushiness more than pruning back tops does, and there are no buds or flower clusters to remove with shearing. Prune when plants are dry.

Repot every two years in late winter using fresh, well-draining potting mixture.

Replace clogged or broken pots immediately because rue plants are sensitive to fluoride and salts in the water that builds up in those types of containers.

How do you identify a Rue?

Distinguishing Features: Rue is an erect plant that has bushy branches and can appear to be as wide as it is tall. The flowers are very distinct as they can be almost green in colour in addition to yellow.

Conclusion:

Rue flowers are a great option if you are in need of colorful, fragrant flowers to add to your garden. There are many different types of rue flowers that have petals that come in various colors and sizes. These plants can grow well both indoors and out and they will attract many types of pollinators due to their beautiful fragrance.