Rosemary (lat. Rosmarinus officinalis) comes from the Latin words ros (dew) and marinus (sea), which actually means “sea dew”. Its name justifies the fact that the moisture brought by the wind from the sea favors its growth.
This branched evergreen shrub also belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Plants related to rosemary are: mint, sage, thyme, yarrow, lavender…
It originates from the Mediterranean, but today it is grown not only in the Mediterranean countries but also in England, Mexico and the USA.
Rosemary branches are upright and can grow up to 2 meters. The leaves are oppositely placed on woody twigs, they are elongated (2-3 cm long) and narrow (2-4 mm). They are smooth and dark green in color, their backside is greyish-white and hairy. The flowers on this shrub grow in spines on small stems and are white or light blue in color. The fruit splits into two small brown nuts. The plant has an intense and aromatic smell.
Types of rosemary
There are two types of rosemary, those that grow as an upright bush and those that form a ground cover. Within these two types, there are various types of rosemary that differ in color, shape, size, and the like. Some of the most common types of rosemary are: Rosemary officinalis, Open rosemary, Rosinka rosemary…
Rosemary officinalis
Most often we meet this type of rosemary. This is a species that grows as an upright bush and can reach a height of 1.5-2 m. It can be seen in gardens, but also in pots and jars on balconies and windowsills. In spring it has blue, white, pink and purple flowers. It has a specific smell and therefore attracts beneficial insects. The leaves of this rosemary are used for medicinal purposes. It secretes an essential oil that helps in recovery from illness and prolongs youth.
Open rosemary
You can recognize this rosemary by its spherical crown. The leaves have the characteristic of changing color from light green during spring to bluish in autumn. Due to their excellent growth ability (up to 1.5-2 m), they are used for forming hedges.
Rosemary Raisin
The shoots of this plant are covered with densely arranged leaves. The height of the stem is up to 40 cm. Its leaves are dark green, with a linear lanceolate shape. If you decide to plant rosemary in a pot or jar, this species is an excellent choice. It weighs about 50 g per bush.
Planting rosemary
Rosemary can be found naturally in sunny and rocky areas in coastal areas. However, you can also plant rosemary in the garden as a spice and medicinal plant.
Rosemary can be planted from seeds and from cuttings. It is difficult to germinate, so planting from cuttings is recommended. When planting rosemary, you should pay attention to the quality of the soil and the position of the plant in relation to the sun.
Planting time
It is a perennial plant and can be grown at any time of the year. April is an excellent choice for sowing rosemary, considering that it germinates much more difficult than other plants. Even when you sow fresh rosemary seeds in April, don’t expect rapid germination.
Planting from seeds
If you are planting rosemary from seed, it is a good idea to sow fresh rosemary seeds. Experts advise that this method be avoided because it is quite demanding and mostly unsuccessful.
Planting from cuttings
A good choice for planting rosemary is cuttings, which are best taken in late spring from young branches. The cuttings should be about 8 cm long, such cut cuttings are placed in a small container with compost. A saucer with water should be placed under the container so that the compost absorbs moisture. To provide warmth to the plant, move the container with compost and cuttings under a glass jar or a plastic bottle cut in half. It takes two months for a rosemary cutting to develop roots and then it is ready for planting. It is important to plant the cuttings at a distance of one meter, and the distance between the plants must be from 0.5 to 0.8 m.
Cultivation in the garden
It would be best to dig the holes for planting the cuttings in autumn or winter.
It would be best to plant rosemary somewhere where there is constant sun, but a little shade will not hurt it. It is more resistant than other Mediterranean crops and can withstand frosts. In areas where there is good lighting, rosemary acquires an intense color and flavor.
Cultivation in a greenhouse
Rosemary can also be grown in a greenhouse. Irrigation should be systematically measured and lighting should be additionally controlled, according to the needs of rosemary. For growing rosemary, drying out the soil is just as unfavorable as overwatering it. During the summer, the bushes should be watered once a day. The use of cold water must be avoided, standing water is more suitable, as it is for most plants.
Growing in jars
When choosing a jar, keep in mind that due to its strong roots, rosemary should be provided with enough space to grow. Approximately, they should have a minimum diameter of 30 cm. A loose and permeable substrate is also needed, instead you can use a ready-made substrate for Mediterranean plants.
It is important to provide him with plenty of sun. It is best to place the jar near a window and facing west or south (it needs about 6 hours of direct sunlight). In the event that you cannot provide such a position for the rosemary, you can also place a lamp above it.
It should be watered regularly, especially when you see that the soil in the container is dry, check it by inserting your finger (5 cm into the container). It can also be watered by sprinkling water on the needles, but do not water it too much. It is also necessary to pay attention to the humidity in the air, during the winter, especially in rooms that are heated. During the summer it should be fed every two weeks, and during the winter once.
It is recommended to shorten them by 10 to 15 cm in order to achieve an upright cultivar.
Ground
The soil in which rosemary will enjoy the most is slightly sandy, drained and not acidic. If the soil is acidic, it should be limed. In case the soil you have chosen is very packed and heavy, then mix the soil with a certain amount of sand for better drainage. It needs calcareous soil and extremely good drainage. Sprinkle large gravel or broken bricks on the ground to avoid excess moisture. Soils rich in calcium are ideal for rosemary.
Temperature
As mentioned several times before, rosemary is a warm climate plant and loves the sun. However, despite this, it successfully tolerates low temperatures and frost. However, care should be taken in case the frosts are accompanied by wind, this can cause great damage to it. At temperatures lower than 15ºC, the plant freezes.
You can expect good growth of rosemary if you plant it against walls facing south or southwest. It is still better to bring young plants indoors during the winter. After the winter, in the spring, if it looks burnt, it should be trimmed down to the healthy parts.
Cultivation of rosemary
Rosemary care also depends on the area where it is grown. In the case of cultivation in continental areas, it is recommended that it be grown in jars and moved indoors before the first frosts. In Mediterranean areas, it is important to allow it to grow in areas with a lot of sunlight or light and it should be protected from drafts.
Matching cultures
Along with rosemary, you can plant: cabbage, cauliflower, kale, cruciferous vegetables, broccoli, etc. Aromatic and spicy herbs like rosemary enable a better relationship between the vegetables in your garden. With their intense scents, they drive away pests, and some even attract pests to themselves, thus protecting the vegetables.
Watering
Rosemary needs regular and balanced watering. During the summer, during the heat, watering once or twice a day is recommended. It is also important to be careful not to overdo it, because then the roots may rot or the plant may die. It likes moist air, so in case of lack of moisture, you can spray it. In the first week or two, rosemary needs more water in order to root well in the soil. After that, if the rosemary is planted outdoors, the rain will do its job. It is resistant to drought, so it will survive even if you do not water it for a long time. Provide rosemary with well-drained soil, as it does not like soils that do not drain well.
Fertilization
This evergreen plant does not require special fertilization. If you give it a little humus substrate when planting, it will be enough for it for a long time. However, during the first year of cultivation, it needs to be fertilized twice. The first time in the month of April, with an amount of 100 to 150 kg/ha of nitrogen fertilizer. The same should be repeated a second time, already in May. In the later years of the growing season, top dressing is done as needed (depending on the soil), then mineral NPK fertilizer (200 kg/ha) should be used.
Propagation
Rosemary can be propagated in 3 ways:
- deposits
- cuttings
- seed
Propagation by seeds
Seed propagation is the standard method of sowing rosemary by seed directly into the ground or by germination.
Propagation by layering
Propagation of rosemary by layering is done by laying the sprigs in the ground without separating them from the mother plant. Before laying in the ground, it is necessary to remove all the leaves from the part of the twig that will be laid in the ground, and leave the rest to grow. The twig needs to be anchored in the ground so that it does not rise, and the usual care and watering is continued. Over time, the twig will develop roots that can be separated from the mother plant by cutting and planted in another place.
Propagation by cuttings (peeling)
The most popular and easiest way to propagate rosemary is by cuttings. It is necessary to cut off a younger sprig of rosemary that has not fully “wooden” because one-year-old sprigs are easier to cut and take root faster. Old twigs have a harder time forming roots, and the rooting process is slower. Choose twigs 8 – 10 cm in size for cutting. Remove the leaves from the lower third of the twig by gently pulling. Place the part without leaves in a biostimulator that will stimulate faster root formation, for example a honey solution.
Place the sprig thus prepared in a glass of water and leave it in a sunny place to stand. Change the water in the cup every 4-5 days. After the formation of roots, you can transplant the branch to the desired place. The most optimal temperature at which rosemary takes root is 18°C
Maintenance and care
In order to have rosemary that grows successfully and properly, it is important to take the time to prune. You need to watch out for diseases and pests that attack rosemary and protect it from weeds.
Pruning and shaping
The optimal choice for pruning rosemary is early spring, but of course it doesn’t have to be right then. Shaping is simple, shoots should be shortened by two-thirds of their length if you want to keep it low. If you want to keep it on a low fence, then one half is cut, and for a high fence, it is enough to cut one third.
Harvesting rosemary
This evergreen shrub blooms twice a year, in April and September. It is harvested in the second year of cultivation. Rosemary stalks are best picked or cut immediately in the morning after the dew has dried and before the daily temperature reaches its maximum.
Drying rosemary
The process of drying rosemary is not demanding or complicated, but it is important to follow certain instructions in order to be successful. After picking, rosemary should be washed and then placed on baking paper. It should stay in the refrigerator for about 10 days.
After drying, it is best to store it in closed bags or containers in a cool and dark place (in the kitchen or basement). You can also make embroidered or knitted bouquets from rosemary.
Storage
In order to maintain the taste, smell and usefulness of rosemary, it is important to store it properly. It is best to store it in a cool and dark place. In a well-sealed container or bag so that moisture cannot reach it, as it causes mold. Fresh and dried herbs are stored in the same way, but dried ones have a longer shelf life.
Diseases
Rosemary is a very strong plant that can resist many diseases and pests. However, plants that are weakened or stressed for some reason can become victims of certain problems. Soil conditions are the most common problem encountered in growing rosemary, although pests and fungi can also kill rosemary. Some problems that occur are: water stress, winter kill, fungal diseases,…
Water stress
We have already mentioned several times that rosemary does not tolerate too much water, and such soils slowly kill rosemary plants. Greater supporter of well-drained soil with moderate moisture.
Winter killing
If rosemary gets frost, it can kill it, but you won’t notice the frost until spring when temperatures start to rise. You can notice this by the loss of color, drying and brittleness of the twigs. If there is a healthy branch, then cut all the surrounding damaged branches and the plant will recover.
Fungal diseases
Fungal diseases occur mainly when the soil in question is wet. Root rot occurs caused by Phytophthora spp. Rosemary stems turn yellow and dry out, and the base of the stem and root become soft and produce an unpleasant odor. Moving the plant in these situations can save it, only if the root is not completely damaged.
Pests
Different types of pests can appear on rosemary and they then feed on the rosemary plants. Rosemary generally manages to recover from pests, unless the infestation is too great. The insects leave behind a white mucus that resembles saliva.
Spray the rosemary with a sharp stream of water to remove the remains of the insects. You can also use insecticidal soap. You can spray the plants with water several times a day to keep flies and their larvae away.
You can also get rid of whiteflies with the help of yellow sticky traps.
The use of rosemary
Rosemary can be used in many ways. As herbs, as a scent in closets, cars or anywhere else. It is also of great benefit in treatment.
Preparations
Rosemary in medicine
In case you have noticed that you have a weaker memory than before, place rosemary in the room where you spend most of your time. It helps with menstrual cramps, headaches and successfully relaxes muscles. Rosemary reduces the level of cortisol (a hormone secreted during stress). Rosemary oil can be applied when massaging the scalp in places where your hair is thinning or is no longer there.
Rosemary is one of the greatest natural antioxidants.
Rosemary essential oil must be used diluted (with vegetable oil). The oil helps with poor circulation (can be used in massage), with skin prone to acne and pimples, dandruff on the scalp and more.
You can use rosemary tea for weight loss, for hair, for circulation and more.
Rosemary in cooking
Rosemary can be used to spice up the dishes you prepare in various ways. Rosemary is often used as an essential oil. You can add fresh rosemary to baked potatoes with olive oil. In the form of spices, you can use it in various marinades, especially in the preparation of fish and meat.
A mixture of herbs, Grass de Provence, has rosemary in its ingredients in addition to oregano, marjoram, chives and thyme. If you like exotic food and smells, try to combine the incompatible. Apple and chocolate go well with rosemary.
History
Throughout history, rosemary has been among the favorite plants. Greek and Roman gods were his lovers. Greek students even put it on their heads when they were preparing for exams, because it was believed then, and it is still believed today, that rosemary stimulates memory.
In England, rosemary was a symbol of fidelity, thus the custom of decorating clothes with rosemary at weddings was born. In ancient times, rosemary was dedicated to the Greek goddess of beauty and love, Aphrodite.
Interesting things
There are many names for rosemary, some of them are: lucmarin, lusmarin, rabazinja, rosmarin, rosemary, zimorod, žmurod, sabor, etc.
You can also make rosemary wine by plucking off the sprigs and then pouring white wine over them. After a few days, strain the mixture and you have rosemary wine. It stimulates the brain, improves circulation and kidney function. It is a good remedy for headache.
Photo: Hans / Pixabay