Common Name: Type: Family: Native Range: Zone: Height: Spread: Bloom Time: Bloom Description: Sun: Water: Maintenance: Flower: Leaf: Attracts: Tolerate: |
rosemary Herbaceous perennial Lamiaceae Mediterranean 8 to 10 2.00 to 6.00 feet 2.00 to 4.00 feet June to July Pale blue to white Full sun Dry to medium Medium Showy Fragrant Butterflies Deer, Drought Garden locations |
Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary, is a generally erect, rounded, evergreen shrub. It has aromatic, needle-like, gray-green leaves and tiny, two-lipped, pale blue to white flowers. Where it is winter hardy, the plant typically grows to 4-6’ tall. The intensely fragrant foliage of this shrub is commonly harvested for a variety of purposes including culinary flavorings, toiletries, essential oils and sachets. These plants also add excellent ornamental value to borders, herb gardens, patio areas and foundations grown in the ground or as container plants. Rosemary is native to dry scrub and rocky places in the Mediterranean areas of southern Europe to western Asia. Where grown outdoors in USDA Zones 8-11, flowers typically bloom from January to April. Some sporadic additional bloom may occur in summer or fall, particularly if plants are trimmed after the late winter to spring bloom. Container plants overwintered indoors will typically bloom later (late spring into summer). Flowers are attractive to bees. Rosemary may be grown in light, slightly acidic, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. While it tolerates light shade, best performance is in full sun. Established plants have good drought tolerance but performs poorly in heavy clay soils. If desired, prune plants after bloom to encourage dense foliage growth. Plants may also be pruned to specific shapes. Best propagated by cuttings. Leaves may be used (fresh or dried) in a variety of cooking applications such as stews, breads, stuffings, herbal butters or vinegars. The leaves also provide excellent flavor to meats, fish and vegetables. Leaves and flowers are used in sachets. Oil is commercially used in some perfumes, soaps, shampoos, lotions and other toiletries. Rosemary has a long history of uses for a variety of medicinal and curative applications. |
Information on this page is from Missouri Botanical Gardens, Dave’s Garden, All things Plants, Texas Superstar or Aggie Horticulture |
This page last updated or reviewed [210809]