Rue Companion Planting

Herbs

• Rue is an attractive focal plant in an herb garden. Low-growing herbs should be placed in front of the tall-growing rue in a border planting. Particularly nice are the thymes, which come in an array of leaf colors ranging from dark green to green-and-gold variegated leaves. Certain oreganos have varying leaf colors, like light bright green or gold. For a grouping of large herbs to put in the back of an herb garden border, try pineapple sage, rosemary or lemon grass with the rue. All of these herbs have a variety of colors and textures and would look very pleasing together.

Blue-leaved Plants

• Other blue leaved plants would be great alongside the rue if a monochrome garden theme is desired. This would call more attention to the leaf shape and texture rather than the colors. Grasses having blue blades have contrasting form, and some varieties might include blue fescue, blue switch grass, or blue lyme grass. Hostas provide a large selection of blue leaves or variegated leaves with blue accents. Some varieties include Blue Angel or Hadspun Blue.

Pink-flowered Plants

• The blue green leaves of the rue set off pink flowered plants very well. The Alan Bloom geranium has a light pink single flower and a mounding habit, and softens the dramatic color of rue. Alpine pink (Dianthus alpine) is a low growing plant with single pink fringed flowers, and sets off the rue’s color nicely. Annual petunias are wonderful, and come in a range of pinks that are all complimentary. Sea thrift (Armeria maritima) has grassy foliage and ball shaped pink flower heads on thin stems, which has both flowers and foliage that contrast beautifully with the rue.

Green Leafy Plants

• Because rue has small blue-green leaves, plants with larger green leaves are a beautiful contrast. Leaves with variegation are also pretty. Those with bold-colored leaves are attention-getters when paired with the rue. Hostas fit the bill on all three types of leaves. Some gold-leaved varieties include Gold Edger and Golden Tiara, which are small in stature as well. Variegated hostas include Ginkgo Craig, Francee and others. While hostas have a lot of variety and can be used in many situations, other leafy plants work well with rue. Heucheras have a great variety in leaf color, and also have tiny red-to-white flowers.

Insect Repellant

• When using companion planting as a way to repel insects, rue is said to repel Japanese beetles, white flies and fleas. There are also reports that it can repel cats from a garden. Anything bothered by Japanese beetles, white flies, fleas or cats might benefit. Most of the time it's planted as a companion to roses or raspberries. Basil doesn't grow well in close proximity with the rue.