Salvia Rosmarinus (Non-native)

Salvia Rosmarinus, commonly known as rosemary, is a generally erect, rounded, evergreen shrub with aromatic, needle-like, gray-green leaves and tiny, two-lipped, pale blue to white flowers. It typically grows to 4-6’ tall in areas where it is winter hardy. The intensely fragrant foliage of this shrub is commonly harvested for various purposes, including culinary flavorings, toiletries, and sachets. These plants also add excellent ornamental value to borders, herb gardens, patio areas, and foundations when grown in the ground and as container plants that are often brought indoors for overwintering. Rosemary is native to dry scrub and rocky places in the Mediterranean areas of southern Europe to western Asia. 

Gray-green, linear, needle-like leaves (to 1.5” long) are closely spaced on the stems and are very aromatic with a strong flavor. Tiny, two-lipped flowers bloom in axillary clusters along with the shoots of the prior year’s growth. Where grown outdoors in USDA Zones 8-10, flowers typically bloom from January to April. Some sporadic additional bloom may occur in summer or fall, particularly if plants are trimmed after the late winter to spring bloom. Container plants overwintered indoors will typically bloom later (late spring into summer). Flowers are attractive to butterflies, bees, and other insect pollinators. 

Height: 2’-6’
Spread: 2’-4’
Bloom: June-July
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low, Moderate
Zone: 8, 9, 10
Origin: Northern Africa, Western Asia, Southern Europe