Rosemary is a popular garden perennial useful in herb, fragrance and container gardens. See the different types of rosemary available and how to care for them.
Botanical and Common Name: The scientific name for rosemary is Rosmarinus officinalis.
Plant Category: Rosemary is a perennial herb.
Bloom Time and Color: Rosemary has edible flowers in a delicate blue shade that can be used in salad, teas or floated in scented baths. Expect rosemary to bloom in the heat of summer.
Foliage: The fine cut foliage of rosemary is often described as needle like although each leaf is rather thicker than a pine needle. Rosemary foliage is highly fragrant and a welcome addition to fragrance gardens in many areas. Semi-evergreen through zone 7, the rosemary is sometimes used as an indoor Christmas tree.
Growth Habit: Rosemary can have either an upright or sprawling growth habit depending on the cultivar.
Dimensions: In the United States Rosemary will only grow 2-4' tall and wide although in areas where it is native, or winter hardy, rosemary grows as a shrub to 6' tall.
Preferred Conditions: Rosemary will need winter protection in zone 7 and needs well-drained soil to survive. Drought tolerance increases once the rosemary plants are well established. Only light shade will be tolerated.
Maintenance: Rosemary requires little maintenance beyond light pruning if the gardener desires a specific shape.
Pests or Diseases: Very few insects bother rosemary, one of the reasons rosemary essential oil is so effective for pest and disease control, although powdery mildew may develop if the plant is kept too moist.
Propagation Methods: Rosemary is most easily propagated through cuttings.
Companion Plants: Plant rosemary with other fragrant plants, drought tolerant plants, herbs or container plants.
Seasons of Interest: Rosemary has year round interest in zones 8-10 with the evergreen foliage. Edible and fragrant flowers appear through the mid-summer months.
Uses in the Garden: Try using rosemary as an attractive edging plant, short hedge, in a kitchen herb garden, fragrance garden or mixed border.
Other Uses: Rosemary is a prized essential oil for use in aromatherapy massages and home health. The fragrant flowers and stems are used in potpourri blends, perfumes, scented baths or herb vinegars. Rosemary is also a popular culinary herb for kitchen use.
Rosemary Cultivars:
- Arp Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Arp'): Said to be one of the most winter-hardy rosemarys, 'Arp' is often sold as hardy in zone 6 although to be safe gardeners might plant it in a protected area.
- Spice Islands Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Spice Islands'): Darker blue flowers and more narrow leaves make this rosemary unique.
- White Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Albus'): As you might expect the 'Alba' or 'Albus' form of rosemary boasts white flowers instead of blue.
- Majorica Pink Rosemary: (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Majorica Pink'): 'Majorica Pink' has pink flowers instead of the typical blue rosemary flowers.
- Golden Rain Roaemary (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Golden Rain'): This unique plant is a variegated rosemary whose dark green leaves have yellow streaks throughout.
