Moira's Herbal - Rosemary

Rosemarinus officinalis
AKA: Rosemary

General Size & Description: A perennial evergreen shrub that grows to about 3 ft. high and spreads about 3 ft. Flowers are pale blue and appear in early spring. Dark green leaves are needle-shaped and very fragrant.


Warnings: Use care when cooking with rosemary; many people are allergic to this herb.


Cultivation
Sun & Location: Full sun in a location sheltered from cold winds. Frost hardy to USDA Zone 8.

Soil preferences: Well-drained soil.

Spreading habit: Non-invasive.

Propagation: May be grown from seed, but a softwood cutting taken from new growth in spring is more likely to succeed. Cut a 6” length, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and stick the cut end directly into potting soil.

Container gardening: Grows well in well-drained containers. In fact, this is the best way to grow rosemary in cooler climes; the plant can simply be brought inside through the winter. Avoid over watering, and feed only after flowering is over.

Companion plants: Plant near carrots to repel carrot flies.

Maintenance:
Spring – trim after flowering, take softwood cuttings
Summer – feed plants in containers
Fall – protect young plants from cold temperatures
Winter – mulch to protect from cold temperatures

Harvest: Fresh leaves can be picked year-round.

Notes:

• Some varieties of rosemary may be grown as a low hedge.
• Rosemary flowers are among those preferred by bees.

Culinary Uses

• Use sparingly – rosemary is a dominant herb and can easily overpower other flavors.
• Use fresh or dried to flavor: lamb, poultry (esp. stuffed in cavity of roasted bird), fish, tomato sauces, rice, salads, vinegars, oils, and cordials.
• Add a few twigs of rosemary to the barbeque grill to smoke meats, or strip a twig of its leaves and use as a skewer for grilled shrimp.

Household Uses

• Use an infusion of rosemary as a rinse for brunette hair to make it shine!
• Rosemary leaves are frequently used in soaps, potpourri, oils, and fragrant sachets.

Period Folklore

• Rosemary is associated with remembrance, fidelity, and love.
• Flowers of rosemary can range in color from pale bluish-white to deep blue. To account for this, Christian legend claims the flowers were originally white, but turned varying shades of blue when Mary hung her blue cloak on a rosemary bush.
• Ancient Greek students studying for exams wore garlands of rosemary to improve their memories.
• Members of wedding parties carried sprigs of rosemary, and the herb was woven into garlands worn by brides.
• Rosemary was frequently carried by mourners at funerals, and dropped into graves.
• The herb was placed under a sleeper’s pillow to repel bad dreams, and was said to ward off both witches and plague.
• Rosemary was believed to only flourish in the garden where the woman dominated the household.

**Updated 5/24/06**