Rosemary

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub in the Lamiaceae family native to southern Europe and Asia Minor. It reaches 2-6 ft tall with a 5 ft spread (5 ft at 20 years) and has a semi-erect, multiple-stem form with fine, aromatic foliage. Light blue flowers approximately 13 mm long appear in leaf axils from fall to spring.

Rosemary is hardy in zones 7a-8b and prefers full sun with well-drained soil (pH 5.0-7.5) and low water needs, requiring a minimum 14-inch root depth. It is CaCO3- and salinity-tolerant with high drought tolerance (3/5). Two diseases are documented. The plant is widely valued for culinary and medicinal use.