Plant of the Week: Rosemary

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) photo credit

Rosemary joins basil, oregano, mint and other kitchen herbs in the mint family (Lamiaceae).  It is traditionally know as a remembrance herb and was carried at funerals and worn/used to help stimulate the memory by ancient Greek scholars.  It was also said to be found draping the Greek goddess Aphrodite (goddess of love) when she rose from the sea, and it evolved into a 'love charm' during the Middle ages.  Today, rosemary is thought to potentially have many medicinal benefits but most have not yet been proven scientifically. 

Rosemary is a prominent flavor in Mediterranean dishes, particularly meats with its strong aromatic character.  Native to the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, it is adapted to receiving moisture from sea spray making it relatively drought tolerant.  It is a 2-6 ft evergreen shrub in it's native environment, but is a tender perennial in only the very southern parts of the US.  Northern gardeners will have to plant it as an annual or move it indoors to a very cool, but not freezing, southern window for the winter. 

Rosemary is difficult to start from seed, but not impossible.  Sow seeds thick indoors early in the spring and transplant seedlings into an attractive container that is easily moved in and outdoors seasonally.  Rosemary is probably easiest transplanted from cuttings.  Cut a piece from a branch with fresh growth, remove the bottom leaves and allow to root in water before planting in an attractive container.  Plant rosemary in full sun and well drained soil whether it is planted in the ground or in a container.

Harvest fresh rosemary for immediate use at any time during the year or dry the leaves and store them in an air tight container.

Happy Gardening! :)