Description
Galega – Goat’s Rue –
There are about 6 species of clump forming, herbaceous, perennials, in this genus. They occur in sunny but damp meadows, slopes, and banks in Europe, Western Asia, and the mountains of tropical Eastern Africa. They have alternate, pinnate, soft green or blue tinged leaves, 3-8″ long, and bears erect, axillary racemes of pea like, white, blue, mauve, or bicolored flowers. Galega species and cultivars naturalize well, and are effective in a border from mid summer onward, some are also good for cutting.
Grow in any, preferably moist soil in full sun or partial shade. They need staking, and may spread rapidly in rich soil.. Cut back flowered stems to prevent self seeding. Divide between late autumn and spring.
Prone to pea weevils and bean weevils.
G. orientalis – This Rhizomatous, upright to some what lax perennial from the Caucasus grows 4′ feet tall and half as wide. It produces pinnate, soft green leaves composed of 13-25 ovate-lance shaped leaflets, 2 ½”’ long, with long, sharp pointed tips. In late spring and early summer it bears racemes, to 6″ long, of blue-violet, pea like flowers, to 3/4″ long. Spreads rapidly.
Zones 5-8
