I got this Ruta graveolens 'Jackman's Blue' plant last Mar 8, 2015. I liked the description it has on the tag that it only needs occasional watering, sounds quite perfect for our drought conditions, and hardiness to 0F is quite perfect when we get our cold valley inversions in winter.
Repotted it and I noticed it is not happy, looks languishing, seems ready to die:
March 10, 2015 - after initial repot
April 19, 2015 - Editing to add: that at this point, since plant seems dying, I decided to add some used coffee grounds, got lots from my haul from Starbucks..my thinking, last ditch effort, if it helps fine..if not..so be it.
After awhile I saw hope..new growth peeking underneath the dried out leaves. New growth under the shade of dried out leaves, maybe it is a cue to move it to a shadier spot.
April 29, 2015
So I moved it to a shadier side, which will also get some part sun, but it has more dappled sun in the afternoons. Great improvement now, removed the dried out leaves, it is back yey! And it may have been good timing this year, since May has proven to be a cooler month than usual. I am still observing how it goes, so far happy to see it has recovered nicely!
Don't know if it will try and bloom this summer, but I will take whatever it can further give. Really living up to its drought tolerance, and I truly love that!
May 28, 2015
