Rosemary has become a staple in many kitchens around the world for its medicinal and culinary properties. This woody perennial will reach its maturity in the second year and will perform for 15-20 years if planted in Canadian hardiness zones 7-9 with some winter protection or if it is sheltered in a garage or a garden shed during the coldest months.
The plants can reach 2-3 feet tall in good conditions and can even become an evergreen shrub of 3-5 feet tall in warmer climates. This oil-rich herb is quite persistent in the garden, but it needs a reliable drainage system, otherwise the roots might rot, which is why rosemary is an excellent choice for container growing.
Foliage is greenish-gray and the tiny flowers that range from white to blue are quite attractive to honeybees and other beneficial pollinators. The thin, conifer-like needles retain their aromas for a long time after harvest and pair really well with soups, salads, stews and roasts. Rosemary is also used for popular fragrant oil that is often used in soaps and aromatherapy.
- Latin Name: Salvia rosmarinus
- Life Cycle: Annual, Perennial in zones 7-9
- Canada Hardiness Zone: 7-9
- Days to Maturity: 65-70
- Planting Depth: 5 mm
- Plant Spacing: 50-100 cm
- Growth Habit: 30-90 cm tall
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
One of the most widely used and recognized culinary herbs is the evergreen perennial rosemary. The distinct flavour and fragrance combines well with other seasonings to complement a wide variety of dishes.
Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost date under fluorescent lights in a loose seed starting mix. Because of its poor germination rate, be sure to sow plenty of seed at a depth of 5 mm. If soil is kept at 18 degrees, seeds should germinate in about 21 days.
Transplant seedlings outside after the last spring frost has passed. Rosemary should be grown in the warmest and sunniest location possible. Poor soil can be tolerated if it is very well-drained. Space plants 50-100 cm apart to give them plenty of room to grow. Rosemary pairs well with lavender and sage and its strong fragrance will repel many pests. Keep the soil moist while it is getting established. Afterwards, let the area dry out a bit between waterings.
To harvest, take 10-15 cm cuttings from the tips of branches as needed. Do not prune more than one third of the plant at any given time, a hard cutting will stress the plant. Rosemary may not overwinter as well as a perennial in extremely cold climates, but containers of the herb can be taken inside and kept under fluorescent lights during harsh winters.
QUICK FACTS
- Rosemary gets its name from Rosmarinus officinalis, from the latin words ros (dew) and maris (from the sea).
- The Ancient Greeks believed rosemary to be a memory aid, students would often wear a branch in their hair.
- The Romans used rosemary to aromatize wine.
- For a long time, rosemary was used to kill germs and disinfect, it would be burned in the rooms of sick people.
- Rosemary seeds will remain viable for 2 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.
