Are All Rosemary Plants The Same?

Rosemary has been hybridized to produce a number of cultivars. Because common rosemary is edible, all varieties are edible, but they do slightly vary in flavor and in their growth habits. Rosemary plants grow as perennials in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10.

Are there different types of rosemary plant?

There are basically two types of rosemary, those that are upright shrubs and those that grow as ground covers. Beyond that things get a little more complex, especially since one variety may be sold under several different names.

How can I tell what kind of rosemary I have?

Most rosemary blooms in the summer in mild climates, but plants growing where the winters are warm may bloom year round. Attempt to identify fresh rosemary in the store. Look for stems, sometimes still attached to the roots, where the needles are green and have a strong aroma, which indicate freshness.

Can you use any rosemary for cooking?

You can use any R. officinalis for cooking, but upright kinds with broader leaves contain more aromatic oil. ‘Tuscan Blue’ is the favorite of many chefs, but ‘Blue Spires’ and ‘Miss Jessup’s Upright’ are also good.

What is the best kind of rosemary?

Scented rosemary is best for cooking because of its excellent flavor and soft leaves. Blue Boy, Spice Islands, and White rosemary are also used in cooking. Arp, Dancing Waters, Golden Rain, Pink, and White varieties are more often used as landscape plants.

Is there rosemary that is not edible?

All varieties of rosemary are edible, but SFGate says some are more suited to cooking, while others thrive as ornamental shrubs. Two particular cultivars, Tuscan Blue and Spice Island, are chef favorites.

Should you let rosemary flower?

There are two options if your rosemary is flowering. Removing the flowers will promote plant growth since the plant is no longer spending energy on flowering. Leaving the flowers will attract bees, resulting in cross-pollination which ultimately leads to more flowers and plants.

What is the most fragrant rosemary plant?

Arp Rosemary
This rosemary variety is one of the most fragrant rosemaries and a favorite of chefs. Use as a hedge, border or herb garden.

What does a healthy rosemary plant look like?

Healthy rosemary leaves are dark green and full-bodied (never shriveled). Choose a bush that is relatively older, since you’re going to take cuttings from it. The rosemary plant is too young if every branch is soft and bendy. Some must have a woody look and feel to them.

What is the hardiest rosemary?

Arp. Considered the most cold-tolerant rosemary variety, ‘Arp’ can withstand temperatures down to -10°F. It grows up to four feet tall and about as wide. The slim leaves are gray-green and the flowers are bright blue.

Can you use rosemary straight from the plant?

Yes, you can use rosemary straight from the plant.

Are rosemary flowers poisonous?

Is Rosmarinus officinalis poisonous? Rosmarinus officinalis has no toxic effects reported.

Is smoking rosemary harmful?

As far as smoking can be safe, rosemary is pretty safe plant to smoke. And as long as you don’t overdo it, adding it to your J won’t hurt your lungs any more than smoking any other herb.

How long do rosemary plants live?

The average lifespan of rosemary plants is ten years, but if taken proper care of, the popular perennial herb can live for up to as much as 20 years under the right conditions.

Can I cut rosemary back to the ground?

If you are looking to reduce the size, you can prune back the overall plant by one-third at a time. Then wait two to three months and you can prune back by one-third again. If you are doing rosemary pruning simply to create a busier plant, you can remove the end one to two inches (2.5 to 5 cm.) of the branches.

How often should rosemary be watered?

Typically potted rosemary should be watered once a week in Summer and once every 2 weeks in the Spring and Fall. Do not water rosemary in Winter as it is in a state of dormancy and additional watering increases the risk of root rot. Well draining soil is just as important for avoiding root rot.

What kind of rosemary can you eat?

Because common rosemary is edible, all varieties are edible, but they do slightly vary in flavor and in their growth habits. Rosemary plants grow as perennials in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10.

Can you eat the purple flowers on rosemary?

As the long winter starts finally breaking into spring, it isn’t too early to start using edible flowers such as primroses and violets, which are out now. Rosemary should also be flowering. “Rosemary flowers are as tasty as the leaves, but there’s a little bit of sweetness there too,” says Brown.

Can I use rosemary from my yard in cooking?

Yes. All of the rosemary herbs can be used for cooking. The leaves on this variety are wide and very aromatic and especially nice to use on the barbecue.

How do you keep rosemary from going woody?

Not only pruning, but also watering the plant regularly will reduce woody growth in favor of softer, younger growth. So, make sure you water your rosemary plants properly and feed them well. But be careful with overwatering. Rosemary is a very drought-resistant plant and only needs watering when soil is dry.

When should rosemary be cut back?

The best time to prune rosemary is in late spring, just after it finishes flowering. This gives any subsequent new growth time to harden off before the winter frosts.