The plant itself, or the one I grow: "Jackman's Blue", has small rounded-lobe, blue-green leaves. There is a variegated variety called: "Variegata". I haven't seen this one in this area, however. It does have a small greenish-yellow flower in the late summer-kind of looks like a small mini-daisy. It grows in full sun to part shade. Most of the books will tell you full sun, however, I know it grows in part shade, and I prefer the part shade for it doesn't flower so soon! The soil is not the best where I have some of my rue planted--alittle sandy and dry, so I conclude it is not to picky where I plant it! Remember, though, it grows best when stolen!
You will find rue in some medicinal recipes, however, you will NEVER see me use it in medicinal or culinary uses! It has an oil that in the heat of the day may cause, has caused, a rash on my skin! (Some people wear gloves when handling rue.) The best time I pick it is in the morning before full heat of day. (The oils haven't been released by the sun). So, why do I pick it if I'm not using it for medicinal or culinary uses? I love it dried for flower arrangements and pressing for other craft items! It is a nice addition to nosegays or vase flowers. Rue, when dried, does not usually cause any skin irritations. I use the newer starts from the plants for the stem is not woody. The plant comes back every year by seed and it is a perennial. The second year, after it starts to come back, you may have to trim it to shape it better. This is an excellent knot garden plant, and grows to 1 1/2-3 feet tall. The more you clip rue, the fuller the plant will be. I will always have rue in my garden!