Rosmarinus means “sea dew”. It is a wonderfully fragrant herb native to the Mediterranean region. In the Middle Ages, this herb was used for love spells. While much of us enjoys the aroma of this fresh plant, most people today grow it for its culinary uses and ornamental qualities. This herb tolerates extreme heat and blazing sun as well as cold. The dark green leaves grow up to 5 cm long and are rich in aromatic oils. Small, pale blue to white flowers appear on the branches from March to May. As one of the best and most resilient ground covers for dry regions, hanging rosemary thrives even in nutrient-poor and shallow soils.
At least one variety of this herb is in oneculinary herb gardenindispensable. There are several easy-care varieties. The hanging rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis “Prostratus”) is one of them. We will show you some varieties that are well suited for cultivation.
Die Sorte “Haifa” (Salvia rosmarinus “Haifa”)
“Haifa” is a woody perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves, but unlike most species it is low growing and therefore goodsuitable as a ground cover.The maximum height is 10 cm. “Haifa” is a hardy perennial with fragrant foliage and pale blue flowers in spring/summer. It prefers light, sandy soil that fully meets its meager nutrient needs. True to its origins, the plant prefers a sunny and protected location. It can also tolerate frost if it is not too windy and wet.
The leaves of “Haifa” are extremely aromatic and can be finely choppedSeasoning a variety of dishes, especially fillings. Many cooks simply cut off branches and add them to roasted meats, especially lamb, pork, chicken and turkey. It also tastes wonderful chopped with fried potatoes and in tomato sauces. The leaves can also be made into a tea to aid digestion or dried and added to dishes. The leaves can also be used in a bath infusion to relax the muscles while stimulating the mind. Of course, it is also distilled into an essential oil and added to many cosmetic products. The plant promotes memory and in flower language it is used as a symbol of memory. It is also said to extend life!
One of the most consistent varieties: Salem rosemary
This is an easy herb to grow and a pretty and fragrant onePlant in every garden. Some regions are too hot or too cold for rosemary, and many are too humid. This is where the Salem variety comes into play, a hybrid plant that is versatile in the kitchen and tolerates humid climates better than most rosemary plants. In temperate zones, the Salem variety is a perennial plant that, once planted, should come back year after year. In colder and warmer zones it is also suitable as an annual plant for the container or vegetable garden. The plant grows upright and is about one meter high and one meter wide.
Hanging rosemary: Gorizia variety
In Texas, this variety is nicknamed barbecue rosemary due to its edible and ornamental properties. The Gorizia variety is a beautiful, aromatic plant for home use. Pollinators like bees and other beneficial insects love it. It offers a wealth of culinary possibilities - from marinades and dried herbs to using the stems as skewers for shish kebabs on the grill.
It grows quickly and has a strong, upright growth habit. Its needle-like foliage is twice the size of other varieties and has an incredible taste and fragrance. The sturdy, straight stems are complemented by lush sky blue flowers that attract bees. The plants are easy to prune and are perfect for hedges, privacy screens and special topiaries or simply as individual plants. This variety is an ideal plant for anyone who enjoys gardening, cooking and using dry herbs. The plant is particularly suitable for grilling, as the woody stem can be used excellently as a skewer.
Tuscan blue rosemary (“Tuscan Blue”)
True to its name, it flowers deep blue to purple. Trailing rosemary from this variety should bloom from winter to spring. The flowers may return for a smaller appearance in summer or fall. Caring for this variety is relatively easy. It grows more upright than many other species and can grow up to 2 m high and 0.5 m wide.
If you want to keep your plant more compact, you can cut it back heavily (up to half) in the spring after flowering. The hardiness of Tuscan blue rosemary is slightly better than other varieties. It should be able to survive down to a temperature of around -9°C. If you live in a colder climate, you may be able to overwinter your plant by mulching it heavily in the fall and planting it in a location sheltered from the wind and in full sun. If you want to be sure your plant will survive the winter, consider growing it as a container plant and bringing it indoors during the cold months.
An evergreen variety: “Blue Rain”
This is an evergreen, perennial herb with a spreading or cascading habit. It has grey-green, linear, fragrant leaves and light blue flowers that bloom for a long time from spring to summer. The foliage is aromatic. The plant will reach a height of 0.2 m and a width of 0.6 m after 5-10 years and is suitable for planting in poor, well-drained soil, in a protected, sunny location.
