Rosmarinus officinalis
rosemary
A bushy, evergreen shrub, variable in habit from prostrate to upright, from 15cm to 2m tall. Aromatic, linear, dark green leaves 1.5-5cm long have pale, felty undersides. Flowers usually pale violet-blue and white, can also be pinkish or blue-purple, flowering in mid-spring to summer with occasional flowers in autumn. Many selections and cultivars are available
Synonyms
Rosmarinus officinalis
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Purple White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Purple White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Salvia can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, or shrubs. They have paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and 2-lipped flowers in whorls, forming simple or branched spikes or racemes
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Mediterranean
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in sun, see rosmary cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in spring or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Gravel garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pruning group 9; trim hedges after flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to rosemary beetle, cuckoo spit, sage leafhopper, tortrix moth and scale insects
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots
Get involved
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