Rosemary

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves. It is native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, which also includes many other herbs.

Rosemary
Rosemary bush.jpg
Rosemary in flower
Scientific classification
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R. officinalis
Binomial name
Rosmarinus officinalis

Cultivation

Numerous cultivars have been selected for garden use. The following are frequently sold:

  • Albus- white flowers
  • Arp- leaves light green, lemon-scented
  • Aureus- leaves speckled yellow
  • Benenden Blue - leaves narrow, dark green
  • Blue Boy - dwarf, small leaves
  • Golden Rain - leaves green, with yellow streaks
  • Irene - lax, trailing
  • Lockwood de Forest - procumbent selection from Tuscan Blue
  • Ken Taylor - shrubby
  • Majorica Pink - pink flowers
  • Miss Jessop's Upright - tall, erect
  • Pinkie - pink flowers
  • Prostratus
  • Pyramidalis (a.k.a Erectus) - pale blue flowers
  • Roseus - pink flowers
  • Salem - pale blue flowers, cold hardy similar to Arp
  • Severn Sea - spreading, low-growing, with arching branches; flowers deep violet
  • Tuscan Blue - upright

Images