Labiatae family Language and mythology: This aromatic plant originated in the Mediterranean area. The upright variety was valued historically for its beneficial properties and is still highly regarded today. In one legend, rosemary is used to waken Sleeping Beauty; in another, fairies take the form of snakes and lie among the rosemary. A popular saying is, "rosemary for remembrance." Description: This ash-colored evergreen shrub has a pungent, pinelike fragrance. It has scaly bark and opposite, narrow, leathery leaves, which are thick and dark green on the top and downy white underneath. Prominent veins run down the middle of the leaves and the margins roll down. The pale blue flowers are about 1/2 inch long and grow in short axillary racemes. The fruit is a very small, spherical nutlet. Plant type and hardiness: Tender perennial; hardiness zones 8 to 10. Height and width: Height to 72 inches; 36 to 72 inches wide. Light and soil: Full sun to partial shade; light, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. Pests and disease: Aphids, root rot, spider mites, scale, mealybugs, whiteflies, and botrytis. Cultivation: A low germination rate makes it difficult to propagate plants from seeds. Sow in flats and plant in the garden 2 feet apart after the seedlings are 3 inches tall. Rosemary is best started from cuttings (or by stem layering). Take 6-inch sections of tip growth in late spring and place in a growth medium. Once the root system is established, plant cuttings outside in a sunny location. Companion planting: Plant rosemary next to sage because they stimulate each other. Rosemary is said to repel carrot flies. It also attracts honey bees. Propagation method: Cuttings, layering, or division. Bloom time and color: December to April; purple to pink. Harvesting: Cut anytime as needed. For drying, cut branches before the plant flowers. Shape plants as desired when harvesting branches. Hang bundles upside down in an airy place. When dry, strip the leaves from the stem. Crumble leaves into pieces and store in airtight containers. For freezing, strip leaves from stems, mix with a little water and put in ice cube trays. Fresh sprigs may be frozen in foil for use within several weeks. Herbal usesAromatic, cosmetic, culinary, decorative, and medicinal. The aromatic oil is added to soaps, creams, lotions, perfumes, and toilet waters. The leaves are used in sachets and potpourris as well as in herbal baths, facial steams, hair rinses, and dyes. Dried or fresh leaves may be used to flavor poultry, fish, lamb, beef, tomatoes, mushrooms, cheese, eggs, potatoes, vinegars, and herbal butters. Rosemary has attractive flowers and is grown for ornamental use in the landscape. The prostrate plant is attractive trailing down over a wall or used for ground cover. It also is used in container gardening. It is said to have some medicinal qualities.
