Growing Rosemary: Tips at a Glance
A fragrant evergreen herb, Rosmarinus officinalis is a native of Mediterranean climates and happiest in hot, dry gardens. Rosemary is a cook's friend.
- Type Woody herb
- Lifespan Perennial
- USDA Zones 8-10
- Light Full sun
- Water Drought tolerant
- Location Herb garden
- Design Tip Evergreen hedge
- Companions Lemon balm, parsley, mint
- Other Uses Container plant
Rosemary: A Field Guide
A fragrant evergreen herb, Rosmarinus officinalis is a native of Mediterranean climates and happiest in a hot, dry garden.
Rosemary’s Latin name translates as “dew of the sea,” a reference to the fact that this hardy, drought-tolerant herb can survive on nothing more than water vapor carried on the breeze. Among the many varieties of R. officinalis are both bushy shrubs such as ‘Tuscan Blue’ and prostrate creepers (R. officinalis lavandulaceus), which will fling themselves like a vine over the edge of a wall. Most rosemary has tiny blue blooms; an exception is ‘Roseus’, with pale pink flowers in springtime.
