Galega spp.

goat's rue

Fabaceae

Europe, western Asia, and northeastern Africa

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Galega spp. is a genus of upright herbaceous perennials in the pea family, Fabaceae, with roughly six to eight species native to Europe, western Asia, and northeastern Africa. Plants form clumps of erect, branching stems 2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 m) tall clothed in pinnately compound leaves divided into 9-17 oblong leaflets. From early to midsummer the stems carry dense upright racemes of small pea-type flowers in shades of lilac-blue, mauve, pink, and white, each spike holding 30 to 50 blooms. Flat cylindrical seed pods follow. As legumes, the plants fix atmospheric nitrogen through root nodules and were once grown as forage and green manure. The genus contains the alkaloid galegine, which is toxic to grazing livestock, and G. officinalis is listed as a federal noxious weed in the United States because it spreads aggressively in pastures and wet ground. G. orientalis from the Caucasus spreads by rhizomes and forms persistent colonies. Plants die back to the rootstock each winter and resprout in spring. The coarse, bushy habit and rapid spread limit the genus to larger, informal plantings.

Native Range

Galega spp. is native to Europe, western Asia, and northeastern Africa, growing in damp meadows, streambanks, and disturbed ground. G. officinalis has naturalized widely outside its range and is regulated as a noxious weed in parts of North America.

Suggested Uses

Grown in informal borders, cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, and damp areas where its spread is acceptable. The long-stemmed flower spikes are cut for arrangements. Historically the genus was sown as fodder and green manure for its nitrogen-fixing roots.

How to Identify

Look for upright leafy stems 2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 m) tall with pinnate leaves of 9-17 oblong leaflets, each leaflet tipped with a tiny bristle. Dense erect racemes of small lilac-blue to white pea flowers rise from the upper leaf axils in summer. The flat, constricted seed pods and the nitrogen-fixing root nodules confirm a leguminous plant.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 5'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Flowering runs from early to midsummer, generally June through August. Each upright raceme opens its pea-type flowers over 2-3 weeks, and a clump produces a succession of spikes. Removing spent spikes before pods ripen reduces self-seeding, which can be heavy.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

lilac-blue, mauve, pink, white

Foliage Description

blue-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to light shade in moist soil and tolerate damp ground that many perennials cannot. As nitrogen-fixing legumes they need no supplemental feeding and grow on poor soils. The clumps spread by seed and, in G. orientalis, by rhizome, so they can outgrow their space and naturalize into adjacent ground. Hardiness extends to USDA zone 4. Foliage and seed contain galegine and are toxic to livestock if grazed. Few pests or diseases trouble the genus, though powdery mildew can appear late in the season.

Pruning

Flowering stems are cut back after bloom to limit self-seeding and to prompt a smaller second flush. Stems are cut to the ground in late autumn or winter once they die back. Lifting and dividing clumps in spring controls their spread.