Rosemary, the plant
Rosemary by nature is a drought tolerant plant and develops a massive root system. It grows in search of water, so if you have a pot indoors, you need to water it each day. It does better outdoors, in general. Keeping it in a big enough pot, if you do have it indoors is a must.
Outdoors, it needs to be in well drained soil. It likes a sandy soil, and give plenty of water in the beginning. After new growth appears, you can back off on some of the watering.
Rosemary is winter hardy down to 20 degrees. It requires bright light, and actually likes poor soil conditions, with good drainage. You can feed it occasionally a plant food, and keep it consistently watered. The foliage doesn't like to be wet, best to water from base.
At a mature height, it will be 2-6 feet tall. The leaves have kind of a two tone coloring, darker green above, grayish white underneath. There will be small clusters of lavender/blue small flowers in winter and spring. The flowers attract birds, and bees.
Outdoors, it needs to be in well drained soil. It likes a sandy soil, and give plenty of water in the beginning. After new growth appears, you can back off on some of the watering.
Rosemary is winter hardy down to 20 degrees. It requires bright light, and actually likes poor soil conditions, with good drainage. You can feed it occasionally a plant food, and keep it consistently watered. The foliage doesn't like to be wet, best to water from base.
At a mature height, it will be 2-6 feet tall. The leaves have kind of a two tone coloring, darker green above, grayish white underneath. There will be small clusters of lavender/blue small flowers in winter and spring. The flowers attract birds, and bees.
Rosemary, still loved today as much as ever
In modern times, rosemary is used still and especially in the kitchen. You can simply clip the leaves and add fresh rosemary to your favorite soups or meats, sauces, etc. It can give your home a wonderful aromatic scent, you can clip leaves and put in your potpourri. It will give a fresh outdoors scent. You can also cut the stems and use in floral arrangements.
Legends, Myths, and Folklore surrounding Rosemary
For hundreds of years, Rosemary has decorated homes and churches around the world. For instance, in England garlands of rosemary were found wound around church pillars, and sprigs were found on the floors. Branches of rosemary were placed on the altars. There seems to be an affiliation with Christmas also, which may have evolved from a legend of Mother Mary, who was sheltered supposedly by a rosemary bush as she rested on her escape from Egypt. As far as that legend goes, she threw her blue cape on the bush to dry out some. The white flowers then turned to blue. Forever after that, the bush has been called rosemary, "the rose of Mary". I thought that was really interesting to learn.
The Greeks were using rosemary for many things long ago. It was used to relieve mental disorders, as they thought that would help. Scholars used to braid rosemary into their hair, and make garlands for their heads. They thought it would help their memory to be enhanced.
There are many superstitions surrounding the herb rosemary. It was thought to only grow in the gardens of the righteous. They thought that if you put a sprig of rosemary under your pillow, it would help to repel evil spirits and bad dreams. If you laid dried rosemary in your bed linens, it was thought to help ensure faithfulness to one's partner.
Rosemary was thought to be a cure all of sorts... They thought epilepsy, jaundice, nervous disorders, reduction of varicose veins, arthritis and feelings of melancholy could be helped with rosemary.
In the Middle Ages, all elegant weddings utilized rosemary. It is the symbol of remembrance of fidelity. Sprigs of this wonderful herb were often dipped in gold, and tied with a ribbon and given away as wedding gifts to the guests.
As could be expected, Rosemary has a long culinary history. The taste is best used with reserve, as it can be strong. It is probably best known to enhance the flavor of meat.
The Greeks were using rosemary for many things long ago. It was used to relieve mental disorders, as they thought that would help. Scholars used to braid rosemary into their hair, and make garlands for their heads. They thought it would help their memory to be enhanced.
There are many superstitions surrounding the herb rosemary. It was thought to only grow in the gardens of the righteous. They thought that if you put a sprig of rosemary under your pillow, it would help to repel evil spirits and bad dreams. If you laid dried rosemary in your bed linens, it was thought to help ensure faithfulness to one's partner.
Rosemary was thought to be a cure all of sorts... They thought epilepsy, jaundice, nervous disorders, reduction of varicose veins, arthritis and feelings of melancholy could be helped with rosemary.
In the Middle Ages, all elegant weddings utilized rosemary. It is the symbol of remembrance of fidelity. Sprigs of this wonderful herb were often dipped in gold, and tied with a ribbon and given away as wedding gifts to the guests.
As could be expected, Rosemary has a long culinary history. The taste is best used with reserve, as it can be strong. It is probably best known to enhance the flavor of meat.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a wonderful plant to grow. I had no idea there was so many interesting things to learn about rosemary.
Rosemary, aka Rosmarinus Officinals is native to the Mediterranean
I hope you find this blog helpful. Thank you for stopping by
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