Growing Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Food, Health & Nutrition

Varieties: Prostrate growing varieties are available, as well as various flower colours.

Appearance: A dense shrub with masses of fragrant, thin, dark green leaves, usually with small blue flowers, but pink-and white-flowered varieties are also available.

Growing conditions: Likes well-drained soil, grows well in full sun or semi-shade and tolerates dry periods well.

Size/spacing: Can reach between 60cm and 1.5m high, usually pruned shorter; space plants 1m apart, closer together if growing as a hedge.

Getting started: Can be grown from seed sown in spring, summer and early autumn, but it also grows extremely easily from cuttings. Seedlings are readily available for many months.

Fertilising: Use a slow-release fertiliser, and don’t over-feed.

Watering: Drought-resistant so copes without a lot of water. Harvesting: Pick as required. Maintenance: Regular harvesting and/or pruning will keep it bushy.

goes with...

Lamb, pork, chicken, fish
Vinegar, lemons
Potatoes, onions
Olive oil, garlic, bread

quick ideas...

Use rosemary stems stripped of leaves as skewers when barbecuing seafood or meat.
Scatter rosemary leaves on potatoes before roasting.

Don’s tips

Rosemary is a hardy perennial that copes well with drought and poor soils, but it prefers slightly alkaline soils. It can be pruned to shape, makes a great hedge, and its leaves are beautifully fragrant. It’s an easy-care garden plant in full sun. Rosemary is also easy to grow from cuttings (taken in late summer). If a friend has a beaut rosemary bush, take a few cuttings and you’re on your way! Team rosemary with lemon and olive oil for a superb barbecue marinade.

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