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Scientific Name:
Salvia rosmarinus ( syn. Rosmarinus officinalis )
Pronunciation:
SAL-vee-uh rose-mar-EE-nus
Common Name:
rosemary
Family Name:
Lamiaceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen
Key ID Features:
Leaves needle-like, linear to acicular, opposite, glaucous, leathery, strongly scented when crushed, most 2-3cm long x 2-3mm wide; flowers whorls of 2-lipped, usually bluish (less commonly white, pink, or purple), tubular, at upper leaf axils.

Habit:
Irregular, Spreading, Upright
Form:
Oval - horizontal
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
1.0 - 1.5m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
Europe (Mediterranean)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 7: (-18 to -12 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Alkaline, Rocky or gravelly or dry, Well-drained
Water Use:
Low, Winter dry, Summer dry
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Attract butterflies, Container planting, Dried flower or fruit, Fragrance, Ground cover, Herb, Medicinal plant, Mixed shrub border, Perennial border, Rock garden, Topiary
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus may include S. 'Tuscan Blue' (deep blue-violet flowers) and S. 'Arp' (bright blue flowers).

Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Tomentose
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Dark-green
Shapes:
Acicular, Linear
Margins:
Entire
Additional Info:
2-3mm long

Inflorescence Type:
Verticillaster, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Bilabiate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Blue, Violet, Purple, Pink (most are pale blue to almost white)
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun

Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy, Ovary separates into four tiny mericarps or "nutlets" that are enclosed in a persistent calyx

Bark Morphology:
Shaggy, Exfoliating
Bark or Stem Colour:
Tan, Brown
Propagation:
Seed, Cuttings, Softwood cuttings, Layering
Maintenance:
Low
Other:
Companion plant: sage.
Pest Susceptibility:
Mildew, Mold, Root rot (Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)

Course(s):
  • HORT 1155
  • HORT 1193/1293
  • Level 4 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
  • (GNH)  GreeNHouse
  • (ONE)  Overpass North side East
  • (WLG)  WoodLand Garden
Location Map