Today’s Garden Ideas | Rosemary…Herb of Choice for Aroma and Taste

Rosemary…Herb of Choice for Aroma and Taste

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Rosemary At A Glance

Rosemary is one of the most fragrant plants in the herb garden. Also suitable to container gardening, rosemary comes in 2 varieties; upright rosemary and creeping rosemary. Both types of rosemary have needle like leaves that have a very strong scent when crushed. They also bloom from late spring to mid-summer with pretty little flowers in colors of blue, lavender, and white.

Upright rosemary grows in shrub form. It can be used as a

fragrant hedge in mild regions. Upright rosemary comes in quite a few varieties including Albus, Arp, Collingwood Ingram, Gorizia, Hill Hardy, Tuscan Blue, Mrs Reed’s Dark Blue, and Nancy Howard.

Creeping rosemary works well in the garden, on sloping surfaces and in hanging baskets. It is even suited to groundcover. This type of rosemary also comes in different varieties like Huntington Carpet, Lockwood de Forest, and Prostratus.

Purchasing & Planting

When purchasing rosemary plants look for individual blooms in 3 inch or larger pots. Look for plants with strong stems and supple leaves. Do not purchase rosemary plants that are scraggly or with brittle leaves. Be sure the leaves are also evenly spaced along the branches. If you want some free rosemary cut off about 4-6 inches of rosemary from the end of a stem. Plant this cutting in moist sand and then transplant when rooted.

Growing Tips

Rosemary prefers full sun and does very well in direct sunlight. Be sure the soil is well-drained. Rosemary is susceptible to diseases and conditions caused by soil that is too wet. Add sand, perlite, or soil to increase drainage.

Rosemary is prone to mealybugs. Mealybugs are white insects that look like tiny cotton puffs. They cling to the stems of rosemary plants grown indoors. Mealybugs suck the sap from the rosemary plant and can spread disease. Pick the mealybugs off with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

Root rot is a disease common in rosemary plants. The plant will turn yellow and wilt. Root rot is a result of poorly drained soil. To prevent this problem add gravel, sand, or compost to your soil or grow your rosemary in a container or raised bed.

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Seasonal Care

For seasonal care begin in spring. Plant your rosemary after the final frost has passed. In summer cut sprigs of rosemary and freeze them whole for future use. The flavor of frozen rosemary is more intense than when it is fresh. In fall for colder areas mulch well. If winter is severe in your area dig up the plants, trim back, and replant in large pots. Move indoors during the winter. The following spring fertilize your rosemary plants using slow-release fertilize like fish meal.

Rosemary flowers are also edible. They have a lighter flavor than the leaves and make a very pretty garnish for salads. Be sure not to harvest more than 20% of your rosemary plant at a time. More than that could kill your plant.

Varieties of Rosemary

If you prefer to try the upright rosemary plant there are several varieties to choose from. Albus rosemary is quite hardy and will do well in cold if mulched. Its flowers are white. Albus rosemary has a classic flavor. Arp rosemary has grey-green leaves and is hardy to minus 10 degrees. Arp flowers are light blue. Collingwood Ingram has graceful curving stems with a fresh scent and bright blue flowers. Gorizia rosemary has large broad leaves twice the size of other rosemary plants. Gorizia has reddish brown stems and light blue flowers. Hill Hardy rosemary has dark foliage with a subtle aroma and light blue flowers. Tuscan Blue rosemary has wide rich green leaves along reddish stems. Its flowers are blue-violet. Mrs Reed’s Dark Blue rosemary is very slow growing and not tolerant of cold. Mrs Reed’s Dark Blue rosemary has a very strong aroma and dark blue flowers. Nancy Howard rosemary has very large leaves and can flourish in about minus 10 degrees. Its flowers are white.

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If creeping rosemary is your preference you might want to try Huntington Carpet rosemary. Huntington Carpet has deep blue blooms most of the year with a very rich heavy scent and flavor. Lockwood de Forest is suited for warmer coastal areas. It has a mild aroma and vibrant blue flowers. Prostratus rosemary twists and arches as it creeps along the ground. The flowers are pale lavender and it has a very rich scent.

Quick Facts

In general rosemary will do best outdoors in zones 7-10. Rosemary likes full sun and sandy soil. The leaves and flowers are edible and it is considered an evergreen. Rosemary is a perennial that can be harvested all year. It flowers in the spring usually. Rosemary can spread up to 3 feet wide and 6 feet tall. Don’t forget both the flowers and leaves can be used to garnish your culinary masterpieces!!