Upright Rosemary
Latin Name: Salvia rosmarinus
$16.95
- Hardiness Zone: Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10
- Pot Size: 1 Gallon
Salvia rosmarinus is an upright, woody evergreen shrub with narrow, needle-like leaves packed closely along square stems. The foliage is dark green above and silvery-white beneath, and a light brush releases the sharp, pine-and-citrus scent rosemary is known for. From late winter into spring, small two-lipped flowers in pale blue open along the previous year’s growth, drawing steady bee traffic. That silvery leaf underside is more than color: a dense coat of fine hairs slows water loss, one of several traits that let this Mediterranean native hold its own on dry, rocky ground. Over the years, the stems thicken and twist, giving older plants a rugged, gnarled frame.
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Plant Details
Quick Information
- Latin Name: Salvia rosmarinus
- Plant Family: Lamiaceae
- Common Names: rosemary
- Origin / Native Range: Dry, rocky scrubland of the Mediterranean Basin, from southern Europe to western Asia
- Mature Height × Width: 2–5 ft × 2–4 ft
- Exposure Requirements: Full Sun
- Irrigation Requirements: Low
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 8–10
- Cold Hardiness: 15°F–20°F
- Bloom Time: Late Winter through Spring
- Bloom Color: Pale Blue to White
General Information
Rosemary grows as an upright, rounded shrub built from many woody stems. Those stems are square in cross-section, a trait shared across the mint family, and they begin soft and green before hardening into pale, shredding bark. The leaves are short and narrow, almost like flattened needles, and they crowd the stems in dense rows. Look closely and you will see the two-toned surface of each leaf: glossy dark green on top and coated in fine white hairs beneath. Small flowers appear in loose clusters along wood that grew the previous year, so the display builds on older branches rather than fresh tips. As a plant ages, its lower stems thicken and twist, and long-lived specimens take on a gnarled, low-slung frame.
This shrub comes from the dry, rocky hillsides of the Mediterranean, where summers run hot and rain arrives mostly in the cooler months. Its narrow leaves and oily coating are answers to that climate, cutting the water lost to sun and wind. Because of this background, rosemary asks for sharp drainage above almost anything else. In heavy or soggy ground, its roots rot, and in cold regions it is usually wet cold, not cold alone, that kills it. Once its deep root system is set, the plant carries long dry spells with little help and works well on sunny slopes and gravelly banks, where it also holds soil in place. The pale flowers are a strong draw for honeybees and native bees during a season when little else is open, which makes rosemary a useful early nectar source in a water-wise garden.
Rosemary carried the name Rosmarinus officinalis for centuries, but DNA studies published in 2017 showed it nests firmly among the true sages, and botanists moved it into the large genus Salvia. Gardeners and cooks still see the older name on seed packets and labels, so both are worth knowing. The scent so closely tied to the plant comes from glandular trichomes, tiny oil-filled hairs on the leaves and stems that release fragrance at the lightest touch. Those same oils flavor kitchens around the world and help explain why browsing deer and rabbits tend to pass the plant by. Rosemary is grown as a culinary herb as much as an ornamental, so a single shrub can season meals and anchor a dry border at the same time.
General Planting & Cultivation Information
Even drought-tolerant plants require regular watering until they are well established, good drainage is essential. If planting in containers, avoid pots without drainage holes.
Irrigate by watering deeply and then allowing the top several inches of soil to dry between waterings. This encourages the plant to send roots deep into the earth in search of moisture, helping it to become established, prevent root rot, build drought tolerance, and resilience to wind, heat, and cold.
The length of time between waterings will vary depending on your growing conditions and environment. Use a moisture meter for precise irrigation.
When planting, set the plant at the same depth as it was in its current container. For trees, ensure the top of the root flare is at soil level.
Young plants are vulnerable to harsh conditions, so consider growing them in larger containers until mature.
When planting in the ground, research the optimal planting season for your climate zone and protect young plants from frost.
To support establishment, consider creating a microclimate with nurse plants, shade, or wind protection. This can reduce stress, conserve soil moisture, and increase long-term success.
Protect the small, immature plants from rabbits and deer.
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