Dwarf Rosemary Edging

Plant Characteristics

• Dwarf rosemary grows 4 to 20 inches tall with a trailing, creeping growth habit that will spread 3 to 5 feet wide. The fragrant, edible 1/2 to 1-inch-long, needle-shaped leaves are evergreen, providing year-round interest as an edging plant. Dwarf rosemary flowers are small, 1/4 inch in diameter, tubular and pale blue to lavender. The flowers bloom along the upper sections of the stalks, nestled among the leaves, from fall through winter and early spring.

Landscape Performance

• Native to the Mediterranean region, dwarf rosemary performs well in hot, dry climates and is resistant to browsing deer. The drought-tolerant nature of rosemary makes it a smart choice for edging around water-wise gardens and in rock gardens and dry, hot areas. The trailing growth habit works well for rock wall edges or raised bed where it can trail and drape over the side.

Planting and Spacing

• To create a dense, full garden edge beds with dwarf rosemary, spacing new plants 2 feet apart. Plant rosemary in full sun in an area that has good drainage and avoid low areas with wet or waterlogged soil. Before planting, amend the soil with a 3-inch-deep layer of compost and dig it into the top 12 inches of soil. When planting, place rosemary so the base of the stalk is level with the soil. Fall, and early winter are the best times to plant. When planted in spring or summer, the plants need regular water to prevent them from drying out.

Care

• Established, 2-year-old plants do not need watering except in extreme drought conditions. You can improve the soil around established dwarf rosemary plants using compost. Spread compost 3-inches deep over the area under the outermost branches, but keep it back 1 to 2 inches from the base of the stems. With a yearly application of compost, applied in fall, winter or early spring, rosemary does not require any additional fertilizer.