Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis

Perennial of the week

Common Name: Rosemary

Type: Herbacious perennial

Family: Lamiaceae

Zone: 8 to 10     Find Your Zone

Height: 2 to 6 feet

Width: 3 to 4 feet

Bloom Time: June to July

Bloom Color: purple

Sun exposure: full sun

Soil: Well drained

Leaves: fragrant, evergreen

Fertilizer: Vigoro Tree, Shrub and Evergreen

Deer resistant: Yes

Pruning: Do not prune in the winter. Prune between February and September.

This plant is used in cooking as an herb for Italian dishes as well as other things like wings and chicken. Its extracts are also used in making organic pesticides. This plant is very tough when planted in well drained soil with plenty of sun. This plant made its way onto our list of Drought tolerant plants that are not cactus.

PLANTING GUIDE

STEP 1: Digging the hole

• Find a location that has suitable sun exposure for your particular type of plant.
• Dig your hole an inch or two shallower than the rootball of the plant.
• Dig the hole twice the diameter of the rootball.
• Scuff up the sides of the hole with a shovel to help roots break through the native soil.
  

STEP 2: Putting plant in hole

• When removing the plant from the pot, check to see if the roots were circling the pot.
• If the plant is rootbound, gently break up the roots with your hands until loosened up.
• Set plant level, in the center of the hole.
• Make sure the top of the rootball is just above soil level.

STEP 3: Amending the soil and filling in the hole

• Amend the soil with proper amendments for your soil type. 
  
• Incorporate 50% native soil with 50% amendment soils like garden soil, composted manure or soil conditioner.
• Make sure dirt clods are broken up or removed from hole along with rocks.
• Fill the hole with soils to the soil level and pack down. Do not cover top of rootball with dirt.
  
• Water in thoroughly to remove air pockets.

STEP 4: Mulching and fertilizing

• Cover the planting site with at least 2 inches of the mulch of your choice (pinestraw, cupress mulch,etc.)
• High Phosphorus root stimulator fertilizers like Quick Start from Miracle Gro are great to use at time of planting.

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