By Rosemary plants are one of the most popular herbs in the world. They are easy to grow and add a wonderful scent to the home.
This aromatic herb has many uses, from culinary to medicinal. It also has some surprising health benefits.
Benefits
Rosemary plants are perfect for adding an exotic accent to a garden or patio. They also provide numerous benefits beyond their beauty, including antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that can help soothe skin irritations like eczema.
The herb is also known to improve circulation and relax muscles. It helps alleviate pain from arthritis, and is useful in relieving sluggish breathing.
Its calming properties can even stimulate hair growth. In one study, 84 people with alopecia areata who massaged their scalps with rosemary and other essential oils daily for seven months had more hair regrowth than those who didn’t use the herbs.
Rosemary is easy to grow and requires little attention once it’s established. Water it lightly once or twice a week to keep it well-hydrated, but avoid overwatering. It’s also drought-resistant, and will thrive in hot and dry weather, as long as you don’t let it get too drenched.
Where to Buy
Rosemary plants for sale are available at garden centers and nurseries, as well as online. This Mediterranean herb is a great addition to the garden and can also be grown in containers.
A variety of upright and ground cover rosemary varieties are available for sale. They range from those that grow to one foot in height, to dwarf varieties that are ideal for hanging baskets and as ground covers.
There are also creeping and trailing types of rosemary for sale. Creeping Rosemary, or Santa Barbara Rosemary, is a fast-growing ground covering that can be used as a balcony planter box or in a hot southern facing wall to create a waterfall look.
Tuscan Blue Rosemary is a tall variety of rosemary that is hardy in zones 8 to 10. It has a beautiful sea green foliage and blue flowers that are reminiscent of the Mediterranean. This herb has an attractive scent and works well in foundation plantings, landscape beds and rock gardens. It is deer and pest resistant, and can be brought indoors for winter use.
Growing Instructions
Rosemary is a fairly easy herb to grow and care for. It doesn’t require a lot of attention and regular watering and clipping is enough to keep it in good condition.
Whether you’re growing rosemary in the garden or in a container, the key to success is choosing a sunny spot and making sure the soil is well-drained. A simple soil test will give you the info you need to plant your rosemary in a spot that’s ideal for it.
If you’re growing from seed, sow four times the number of seeds that you need for a healthy plant. Use a soilless seed-starting mix or a combination of equal parts perlite and peat moss. Moisten the mix and sprinkle the seeds on top.
If you’re growing your rosemary plants from cuttings, take about 2-1/2-inch stems from new growth on a rosemary plant (see Propagating rosemary). Dip the bottom 1/4 inch of the stem into a hormone rooting powder and place it in a container with equal amounts of peat moss and perlite. Spray with water on sunny days, and roots usually form in 14 to 21 days.
Pruning
Pruning is an important maintenance practice for most woody plants, including ornamental trees and shrubs. It maintains a healthy balance between older and younger growth to suit the plant’s type, health and age.
Rosemary, whose name is derived from the Latin for “dew” and “sea,” is an evergreen shrub that tolerates drought conditions and grows well in a variety of climates. It has fragrant leaves that attract bees and is deer resistant.
For best results, plant rosemary in full sun in well-drained soil. Rosemary should be watered only when the topsoil feels dry to the touch.
During the dormant season, prune to remove dead, diseased, damaged or excess growth. This can help to maintain a desired plant form, such as a hedge or special garden shape, and can also be used to control the size and shape of mature plants.
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