Rosmarinus, now officially Salvia rosmarinus (but still commonly called Rosemary), providing a gardener-friendly overview without using metric measurements:

What Makes Rosmarinus (Rosemary) So Special?

Rosemary is special for its intense, piney fragrance, its culinary versatility, and its evergreen, needle-like foliage that provides year-round interest. It is a tough, drought-tolerant plant that thrives in sunny, well-drained conditions, making it a valuable addition to many gardens. The combination of fragrance, culinary uses, and evergreen beauty, along with its ability to attract pollinators, makes it a multi-sensory and practical choice.

Description

• Growth Habit: Evergreen shrub. It can be upright and bushy, or prostrate (creeping), depending on the cultivar.
• Height: Varies depending on the cultivar, from 1 to 6 feet tall (and sometimes wider).
• Foliage: Needle-like, leathery leaves that are dark green above and often whitish underneath. The leaves are highly aromatic when crushed or brushed.
• Flowers: Small, two-lipped flowers, usually blue or lavender, but sometimes white or pink. They appear in late winter, spring or summer (depending on the variety and climate), and are very attractive to bees.

Details Gardeners Care About

• Sunlight: Full sun is essential for best growth and flowering.
• Soil: Well-drained soil is crucial. Rosemary hates wet feet and will rot in soggy soil. It tolerates a wide range of soil types, including poor, dry, sandy, or rocky soils. Prefers slightly alkaline soil.
• Water: Drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly when young but then reduce watering significantly.
• Hardiness: Generally hardy in USDA zones 7-10, but some cultivars are more cold-hardy than others.
• Deer Resistance: Generally considered deer-resistant due to the strong fragrance.
• Attracts Pollinators: The flowers are a magnet for bees and other pollinators.
• Salt tolerance: High salt tolerance.

Native Habitat Rosmarinus officinalis (now Salvia rosmarinus) is native to:

• The Mediterranean region

It is typically found in:

• Dry, rocky hillsides
• Coastal areas
• Scrubland

Landscaping Design Tips

• Culinary Gardens: An essential herb for any kitchen garden.
• Herb Gardens: A classic choice for herb gardens, combined with other Mediterranean herbs like lavender, thyme, and sage.
• Rock Gardens: Its drought tolerance and preference for well-drained soil make it a good choice for rock gardens.
• Hedges: Upright varieties can be used to create low hedges or borders.
• Containers: Grows well in containers, making it suitable for patios or balconies.
• Topiary: Can be pruned into shapes, such as cones or spheres.
• Coastal Gardens: Its salt tolerance makes it a good choice for seaside plantings.
• Xeriscaping: Excellent for water-wise gardening.

Planting and Care

• Planting Time: Spring or fall.
• Spacing: Space plants according to their expected mature size.
• Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth they were growing in their nursery pots.
• Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil moderately moist until established. Then, reduce watering significantly.
• Mulching: Mulch can help retain moisture and suppress weeds, but it is not essential. Avoid piling mulch around the stems.
• Fertilizing: Generally, does not need much fertilizer. A light application of compost or a balanced fertilizer in spring can be beneficial.
• Pruning: Prune regularly to maintain shape, encourage bushier growth, and harvest leaves. The best time to prune is after flowering.
• Winter Protection: In colder climates (borderline hardiness), provide some winter protection (mulch) or bring container-grown plants indoors. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot in winter.
• Propagation: Easy to propagate by cuttings.

Taxonomy (Simplified)

• Genus: Salvia (formerly Rosmarinus)
• Species: rosmarinus (formerly officinalis)
• Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family – square stems!)

Morphology (Simplified)

• Stems: Woody, square stems (typical of the mint family).
• Leaves: Needle-like, leathery, opposite, highly aromatic.
• Flowers: Small, two-lipped, borne in clusters along the stems.
• Roots: Fibrous root system.

Popular Varieties

• 'Arp' - Very cold-hardy.
• 'Tuscan Blue' - Upright, with bright blue flowers.
• 'Prostratus' - Creeping or trailing form, good for groundcover or cascading over walls.
• 'Miss Jessop's Upright' - Tall, upright form.
• 'Barbecue' - Upright form, excellent culinary flavor.

Other Insights

• Culinary Uses: Rosemary is a classic culinary herb, used to flavor a wide variety of dishes, including meats, poultry, vegetables, soups, and stews.
• Fragrance: The intense, piney fragrance is one of its most distinctive features.
• Essential Oil: Rosemary essential oil is used in aromatherapy and perfumery.
• Medicinal Uses: Rosemary has a long history of medicinal use.
• Name Change: Recent genetic studies have led to the reclassification of Rosemary into the Saliva genus.
• Symbolism: Rosemary is associated with remembrance.

In summary, Rosmarinus (Rosemary) is a versatile and rewarding plant that offers fragrance, culinary value, and evergreen beauty. Its drought tolerance, ease of care, and ability to thrive in sunny, well-drained conditions make it a popular choice for many gardens. Whether you are growing it for its aromatic leaves, it’s pretty flowers, or its overall ornamental appeal, it is a plant that provides year-round interest and a touch of the Mediterranean to your landscape.