Plant of the Week: Rosemary

 

Rosemary is a fragrant herb that grows as a tender perennial in our area, but is reliably hardy in USDA zones 8 or higher. Rosemary, Salvia rosmarinus, previously known as Rosmarinus officinalis, sports gray-green leaves on woody stems. Some varieties grow very upright, others have a trailing habit. 

Jan grows Rosemary in Calvert County, MD

Yes, the chickens are photobombing the pic

Small clusters of purple-blue, or sometimes white flowers bloom spring into fall. Native to Mediterranean region in dry, rocky areas, Rosemary should be planted in an area with full sun, in a light soil that drains well, whether in a container or in the ground. The plant does not tolerate wet, humid spaces. 

Rosemary is adaptable to all sorts of gardens. Wonderful in pollinator and cutting gardens, in edible and rock gardens, the fragrance of this evergreen shrub is suitable for patios too.  

Rosemary is known as the herb of remembrance. It's fragrance is immediately identifiable; rosemary is often used in potpourris and sachets. It is cultivated as a prized culinary herb as well, used in recipes for roasted potatoes, chicken, biscuits and many beverages. I was gifted a Mocktail gift basket, that included rosemary to be used in several beverage recipes. A friend made some delicious rosemary and sugared walnuts...yum!

Larger pots of Rosemary are often available

In most cases, Rosemary would need to overwinter indoors in our area. Place the plant in a sunny window, with good air circulation around the plant. Use Rosemary often; it grows back quickly. 

Wild Rosemary, growing in Capetown, South Africa's famed Kirstenboch Botanical Garden, looks similar but has a different botanical name than the Mediterranean Rosemary

We carry many varieties of Rosemary in the spring, from small starter plants to larger specimens available to us from our herb grower. A few varieties are available year 'round.