Rosemary

What does Rosemary look like?

Rosemary is a dense, woody shrub that can grow upright or trail along the ground, reaching up to 1.8 meters tall. Its leaves are evergreen, slender, and needle-like, dark green on top and white underneath with a woolly texture. The plant produces small flowers in clusters along the branches, which may be purple, blue, pink, or white. The leaves and stems are highly aromatic, giving off a strong pine-like scent.

Where does Rosemary come from?

Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean region, including Portugal and northwestern Spain. It thrives in coastal areas and was naturalized in China by the 3rd century CE. The plant was likely introduced to Britain by the Romans, but records of its cultivation there appear from the 8th century. Rosemary spread to the Americas with European settlers in the 17th century and is now grown worldwide. Its name comes from Latin words meaning 'sea-dew,' reflecting its preference for seaside habitats.

When and how Rosemary blooms

Rosemary flowers mainly in spring and summer in temperate climates, but can bloom year-round in warm areas. It is drought-tolerant and prefers well-drained soil and full sun. While it can be grown from seed, germination is slow and unreliable, so it is often propagated from cuttings. Rosemary is used in gardens for hedges, topiary, and groundcover, and can be grown in pots or as part of xeriscape landscaping.

How Rosemary is used

Rosemary leaves are widely used as a culinary herb, flavoring meats, stews, and teas. Its essential oil is found in perfumes, shampoos, and cleaning products. In Europe and Australia, rosemary is a symbol of remembrance, especially at funerals and war commemorations like ANZAC Day. Sprigs are worn or tossed into graves. In Danube Swabian culture, rosemary is used in celebrations such as christenings and weddings.

Kinds of Rosemary

There are many cultivated forms of rosemary, including upright and trailing types. Notable cultivars include 'Arp' (lemon-scented and cold-hardy), 'Benenden Blue', 'Miss Jessopp's Upright', and 'Severn Sea', all recognized for garden merit. Flower color varies by cultivar, with some having white, pink, or deep blue blooms, and some selected for golden or variegated leaves.

What Rosemary means

Rosemary has been valued since ancient times by Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, and is mentioned in classic literature and herbals. It symbolizes remembrance and fidelity in love, appearing in Shakespeare's plays and in the language of flowers. In Australia, it is associated with ANZAC Day, and in Europe, with funerals and memorials. It is also used in traditional festivals and rituals.

Where Rosemary is used and seen

Hanbury botanical gardensA historic Mediterranean botanical garden on the Italian RivieraNosegayA small hand-held bouquet with hidden meanings and a long historyLaurel wreathA head or neck wreath made from laurel leaves, symbolizing victoryFlower girlA young girl who scatters petals in a wedding procession

Traditions that use it

Days and festivals

Questions people ask about Rosemary

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• Salvia rosmarinus (Angustifolia Group) 'Benenden Blue' (Ro)Royal Horticultural Society, Article
• Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
• Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
• Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database

• Rosemary on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data