Rosemary

Name Origin:

Derives from its native location near sea coasts - "rose" coming from Ros (meaning dew) and "Mary" from marinus (meaning ocean). Read more on the History of Rosemary.
 

Natural Order:

Labiatæ

Growing Cycle:

Half-hardy evergreen
 

Origins:

Native to the Mediterranean coast. In ancient times, rosemary was credited with having many virtues hence its "officinalis" or medical name. It was cultivated by the Spaniards as early as the 13th century.
 

Height:

Rosemary can exceed 2 feet tall
 

Characteristics:

Branching woody stems with linear leaves that are green on top and hoary white underneath.
 

Rosemary Flowers:

Pale blue flowers form in leafy clusters.
 

Fun Rosemary Fact:

Rosemary was thought to strengthen the memory thereby making it the emblem of remembrance and fidelity. It was for this reason that an old wedding custom in many parts of Europe included the wearing of rosemary.
 

"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember:
And there is pansies, that's for thoughts."
- Hamlet, Act iv, Scene 5.

Rosemary is easily propagated through cuttings, root division, and layering though the most common method is seeds. Rosemary plants do best in rather poor, light soil, particularly if limy.
 

Sowing Rosemary Seeds.

Sow rosemary seeds in drills 18-24 inches apart or in hills two feet apart with around 6 seeds per hill.
 
Rosemary seedlings can withstand being transplanted from seedbeds or flats.
 

Cultivation.

Maintain loose soil and keep weed-free.
 

Propagation.

To propagate rosemary by cuttings, cut 6 inches in May or June and set two-thirds of the length in the soil, in a moist and shady location. Move to their final growing location once established.
 
Division of rosemary can be done in spring or autumn.
 

Harvest.

Simply cut branches as needed for individual dishes.