Common rue
A strong-smelling subshrub with bluish leaves; the open nectar disc of its yellow summer flowers offers bees easily reached nectar, though it is not a major source.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Low
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0,5-1 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Common rue is a pungent-smelling subshrub native to the Balkans and the Mediterranean region and grown in gardens since ancient times. In the middle of its yellow flowers with four or five petals there is a prominent, open nectar disc. This structure means easily reachable nectar for flies, wasps and honey bees.
Flowering
It flowers for several weeks between June and August; in dry, calcareous, sunny places it flowers profusely. Being drought-tolerant, it keeps flowering in midsummer too.
Honey and pollen
Because the areas where it is grown are small, its honey contribution is limited. Its pollen value is low. There are no reports of toxicity from its honey.
Note for the beekeeper
Combined with sunlight, the plant's sap can cause burns and blisters on the skin; wear gloves when pruning or harvesting. It can be considered a supplementary bee plant for midsummer in dry gardens.