Rosemary
Background
“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance. Pray you love, remember!” (From Shakespeare’s Hamlet) In cultures worldwide, rosemary has been used in ceremonies and feasts. It was believed to help maintain a clear memory. Because of its association with memory, it was often woven into bridal crowns or bouquets so the new bride would remember the woman she once was. In death, it was used to honor the memory of the deceased by being added to funeral flower arrangements.
Landscape Uses
Fragrant, pollinator-attracting, yet insect-repelling, Rosemary shrubs make great landscaping features for any home.
Uses
Infuse it in olive oil, add it to butters or soft cheeses or dressings. It tastes delicious in bread or on roasted veggies or makes an elegant garnish. It acts as a bug-repellent with an uplifting aroma, so it works great in potpourris or dryer sachets. You can add it to your beauty regime by putting it in a facial toner or a hair tonic for an extra cleansing effect. Rosemary has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. It can improve digestion and enhance memory and concentration. Some studies even found that it helps prevent brain aging. Tap into these benefits by brewing it in a hot tea.
Planting and Care
Rosemary does best when planted in the spring after any chance of frost has passed. It requires full sun and well-drained, loamy soil. Mixing the planting spot with compost will greatly benefit rosemary. Because it does not like being crowded and can grow to be 2 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide, give each plant 2 to 3 feet of space.
It does not like to be overwatered, so keep it uniformly moist and let it dry out between watering. If in a climate where it can survive the winter, prune annually to prevent it from becoming woody.
Harvest and Storage
You can harvest at any time, although the flavor and scent is strongest in the younger stems. Snip stems, being mindful of keeping the shrub shape while you do so. Never clip more than a third of the rosemary plant at a time.
Use fresh or clip and hang in bunches in a dark, warm location to dry. When dried, strip off the leaves and store them in an airtight container.
Rosemary Varieties Offered (Scientific Name: Rosemarinus officinalis)
We will offer the following selection of Rosemary herb varietals for the upcoming planting season:
As always, our plants are subject to availability.
Don’t see what you are looking for? If there is a particular variety of rosemary you are looking for, please reach out to us via email or phone to discuss. We love to hear from our customers about what they are looking for and strive to accommodate any special requests.
Young's Greenhouse Recipes with Rosemary
What You Need You will need a lemon pound cake mix, water, an egg, butter, and fresh rosemary. The amount of rosemary you will use depends on how much you like the taste of rosemary. How To Make The Dip I start by melting the butter. Always cut your butter so it melts faster […]
