Description of Rosemary Plants

Identification

• Rosemary shrubs grow approximately 6 feet tall with a 4-to-5-foot spread. They have scaly gray bark and aromatic inch-long, needle-like leaves. The tops of the leaves are dark green, while the lower surfaces are a pale green color. They produce clusters of inch-long, pale blue blossoms during the spring.

History

• The ancient Greeks believed that rosemary improved the memory, and students wore the herb in their hair to help them retain information. Rosemary was also a symbol for faithfulness between lovers. Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of King Henry VIII, wore a rosemary garland in her hair on her wedding day. People used rosemary to treat circulatory problems, memory loss and indigestion, among other conditions.

Cultivation

• Rosemary plants grow best in United States Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 8 through 10, which includes warm southern regions such as Brownsville, Texas and Miami, Florida. (See Resources for Zones.) Rosemary plants require at least six hours of full sunlight each day, according to Floridata. They prefer sandy, well-drained, average or nutrient-poor soils. A number of different rosemary cultivars are available, such as Santa Barbara, which produces dark blue blossoms, and Roseus, which produces pink blossoms.