Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Tender, evergreen shrub
Description: Wonderfully fragrant, needle-like foliage used as a culinary herb; pale lavender flowers appear along the stems in late spring
Habit: Grows to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide
Culture: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil that is not too rich; drought tolerant
Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zone 7
Origin: Mediterranean
Attributes: Evergreen, Drought tolerant, Deer resistant, Attracts bees and butterflies
Jefferson Documented

Rosemary is a native of the sea coasts of the Mediterranean, and its name is derived from "Ros Maris," or dew of the sea. It was thought to improve the memory, so it was known as "herb of memory," and probably came to America with the earliest settlers. Thomas Jefferson made a note to plant Rosemary in his garden in 1794, along with fourteen other herbs. He probably interspersed his herbs in rows among the vegetables of his kitchen garden. Rosemary has always been valued for its lasting aromatic fragrance, and today it is used primarily as a culinary herb in soups, sauces, and meat dishes. Although it is an evergreen perennial, Rosemary is not reliably winter hardy where temperatures drop below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. It is best in cooler regions to plant in a large container for indoor culture. The small lavender flowers attract bees and butterflies, and the fragrant foliage is not favored by deer.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) arrives in a 3.5" square pot.