Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemaryfrom the family Lamiaceae
"Rosemary is one of the most versatile herbs in the kitchen, in the home and medicinally. A few twigs thrown on the fire will make the whole house smell incredible, and a brew of rosemary tea is the ultimate detox following festive excess!" Jekka McVicar
Rosemary is associated with remembrance, and for hundreds of years it was used to improve the memory. It has a whole host of medicinal uses, and is also a useful culinary herb, combining well with meat, especially lamb, casseroles, and vegetables.
In Elizabethan days, the wedding couple wore or carried a sprig of rosemary as a sign of fidelity. During the plague it was worn in neck pouches, and burnt in sick chambers to freshen and purify the air.
Rosemary is a shrub that originated in the Mediterranean area and is now widely cultivated elsewhere.
The ancient Latin name means sea-dew, which may come from its habit of growing close to the sea, and the dew-like appearance of its blossom at a distance.
In Victorian times, rosemary was carried in the hollow handle of a walking stick to sniff whilst travelling. It has also been connected with the Christian faith: a story from Spain relates that the blue flowers were originally white. When the holy family fled into Egypt, the Virgin Mary had to hide from some soldiers, so she spread her cloak over a rosemary bush and knelt behind it. When the soldiers had gone, she stood up, removed her cloak and the blossoms turned blue in her honour.
As rosemary is evergreen, you can harvest it all year round. Even the flower is edible and sweet tasting, and is particularly tasty with vegetable dishes.
Propagation
Seed: Rosmarinus officinalis can, with care, be grown from seed. It needs a bottom heat of 27-32°C (80-90°F) to be successful. Sow in the spring in prepared seed or plug trays, using a standard seed compost mixed in equal parts with composted fine bark, and cover with perlite. Once germinated, be careful not to over-water the seedlings as they are prone to damping off. Harden off the plant slowly in summer and pot up. Keep it in a pot for the first winter, and plant out the following spring into the required position at a distance of 60-90cm apart.
Cuttings: This is a more reliable method of propagation, ensuring that you have the variety that you require.
Softwood: Take these in spring off the new growth. Cut lengths of about 15cm. Use a standard seed compost mixed in equal parts with composted fine bark.
Semi-hardwood: Take these in summer from the non-flowering shoots, using the same compost as for softwood cuttings.
Layering: Layer established branches in summer. This is relatively simple as rosemary often has branches that hang down to the ground.
Garden cultivation
Rosemary requires a well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position. It is frost hardy, but in cold areas it prefers to grow against a warm, sunny wall. If the plant is young, it is worth giving some added protection in winter. If trimming is necessary, cut back only when the frosts are over; if possible, leave it until after the spring flowering.
Sometimes rosemary looks a bit scorched after frosts, in which case it is worth cutting back the damaged plants to healthy wood in spring. Straggly old plants may also be cut back hard at the same time. Never cut back plants in the autumn or if there is any chance of frost, as the plant will be damaged or even killed.
Container growing
Rosemary does well in pots and this is the preferred way to grow it in cold areas. The prostrate and less hardy varieties look very attractive and benefit from the extra protection offered by a container. Use a soil based compost mixed in equal parts with composted fine bark, and make sure the compost is well-drained. Do not over-water, and feed only after flowering.
Majorca Pink Rosemary
Boule Rosemary
Benenden Blue Rosemary
Hedges
Rosemary certainly makes an effective hedge; it looks pretty in flower, smells marvelous and is evergreen. In fact, it has everything going for it if you have the right soil conditions which, more importantly than ever, must be well drained and carry a bias towards lime. The best varieties for hedges are Rosemary officinalis 'Primley Blue' and Rosemary officinalis 'Miss Jessop's Upright'. Both are upright, hardy and bushy. Plant 45cm apart and if you eventually need to trim the hedge, do it after the spring flowering.
Harvesting
Rosemary is evergreen so you can pick fresh leaves all year round. For large quantities, harvest in summer and either dry the leaves, or make an oil or vinegar.
If planted near carrots, rosemary is reputed to repel carrot fly. It is also
said to be generally beneficial to sage.
Culinary: Rosemary is one of the most useful of culinary herbs, combining well with meat, especially lamb, casseroles, tomato sauces, baked fish, rice, salads, egg dishes, apples, summer wine cups, cordials, vinegars and oils.
Medicinal: Like many other essential oils, rosemary oil has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and it helps poor circulation if rubbed into the affected joints. The oil may be used externally as an insect repellant. It also makes an excellent remedy for headaches if applied directly to the head.
Rosemary tea makes a good mouthwash for halitosis and is also a good antiseptic gargle. Drunk in small amounts, it reduces flatulence and stimulates the smooth muscle of the digestive tract and gal bladder and increases the flow of bile. Put a teaspoon of chopped leaves into a cup and pour on boiling water; cover and leave it to stand for 5 minutes.
An antiseptic solution of rosemary can be added to the bath to promote healthy skin. Boil a handful in 500ml of water for 10 minutes.
Other Uses: Put rosemary twigs on the barbecue; they give off a delicious aroma. If you have a wood burning stove, a few twigs thrown onto it makes the whole house smell lovely.
Rosemary is used in many herbal shampoos and the plant has a long reputation as a hair tonic. Use an infusion in the final rinse of a hair wash, especially if you have dark hair, to make it shine.
Warning: the oil should not be used internally. Also, extremely large doses of the leaf are toxic, possibly causing abortion or convulsions.
How to Order: we currently grow over 25 varieties of rosemary. To access all rosemary varieties, simply click on the Search icon (above left), and type rosemary into the 'Name' box.
Here are just a few of the Jekka's Herb Farm team's favourite rosemary varieties. Click on the image for more info':
