Hardy Rosemary Plants

Salem

• Salem is an upright shrub that can reach 3 feet in height, with tiny blue flowers that appear in early spring. Salem rosemary is prone to blight, root rot and bacterial leaf spot. Hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 10, Salem has a strong, piney flavor. Locate Salem rosemary in a sunny location with protection from winter winds.

Madalene Hill

• Madeline Hill rosemary is named after the herb specialist Madeline Hill from Texas and is cold hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 11. Sometimes called "Hill Hardy," Madeline Hill rosemary is used as both a culinary herb and as a fragrant ornamental. It grows up to 3 feet tall and has pale blue flowers that appear in spring.

Arp

• Arp rosemary was discovered in the Texas town of Arp by the aforementioned Madeline Hill. It is hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 11, grows to 5 feet in height and bears pale blue flowers in spring. Arp rosemary is used for both culinary and ornamental purposes. Ideally planted in full sun, Arp can tolerate up to half a day of shade and still grow reasonably well.

Athen's Blue Spires

• Grow "Blue Spires" rosemary in USDA Zones 6 to 11 for a 5-foot tall plant that produces bright blue flowers in late winter through early spring. This rosemary has gray-green leaves and fragrant foliage. Its 5-foot height makes it a handsome landscape specimen that does double duty in the herb garden. Pinching off growth tips during the growing season promotes a bushier plant.

Dancing Waters

• Dancing waters rosemary is a "creeping" variety of rosemary, usually not standing more than 12-inches tall and spreading out, rather than growing vertically. Left alone, it forms a mound up to 12 inches high. It bears deep blue flowers in spring and can be used for cooking or as a small, fragrant ornamental. Dancing waters is cold hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 11.