Common Name

Rosemary

Scientific Name

Rosemarinus officinalis

Habit

Evergreen shrub with very aromatic, needle-shaped foliage. Pale blue flowers in spring. Left to grow wild, plants can reach up to 6.5 feet high.

Hardiness

Soil & Site

Well-drained, loose soil. Tolerates poor soils. Plant in full sun. Think "Mediterranean seaside."

History & Lore

Rosemary is a pungent coastal plant of the Mediterranean, and has been featured in everything from funerals to weddings since Egyptian times.
    
The smell of rosemary was believed to keep a person young; a story from Medieval times tells of rosemary water being used to restore health and beauty to Queen Izabella, who was crippled with gout and rheumatism.
   
 The word Rosmarinus means "dew of the sea," and it was written in a 17th century diary that the flowers "are credibly reported to give their scent above 30 leagues off at sea."

Suggested Uses

Culinary      

Care is needed in the use of rosemary; it has tough, pokey leaves and a very strong flavor. Whenever grilled foods, red wine, and garlic prevail, rosemary is a fine choice. A sprig is plenty, placed on top of the dish, or as a bed for grilled meats. Remove sprig before serving. Finely chopped rosemary adds a wonderful flavor to biscuits. Throw a couple of small sprigs in with olive oil, salt and garlic as a coating for roasted red potatoes to go with spring lamb. Flowers are good in salads, especially if served with smoked meats.

Beauty

The camphor in rosemary makes it a popular stimulant and cleanser for the skin, scalp, and hair.

Health

Rosemary has been used to calm the nerves, revive low spirits, lessen the pain of headaches, and restore the system after viral infections. Herbalists and aromatherapists use it as a tonic for the bronchial, circulatory, and digestive systems. The diluted oil makes for a soothing massage of aching joints and muscles.

Fun Facts

Prostrate varieties can be set so as to creep along a wall. They look great in hanging baskets or window boxes. You also can create the spokes of an herb wheel with rosemary.

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