Rosemary

Rosemary

Rosemary is a beautiful herb typically found in gardens as an ornamental. Quite possibly, you have passed right by it before without even knowing. It has prickly shoots full of small, dense needle-like leaves full of fragrance. Rosemary is one of the most fragrant and useful herbs that we have.

Benefits of Rosemary

Rosemary can be pruned and shaped for a beautiful addition to any formal garden. It has the ability to grow large and withstand pests, making it an excellent plant for your home garden.

It is also a wonderful herb for use in seasoning meat, soups and stuffing. It is a superb herb for roast lamb, chicken, turkey, and pork. It is also used in a variety of perfumes, sprays and detergents. It can be used as incense and in cleaning products to promote a fresh fragrance.

Although a lot of herbs have been proven as good medicinal plants, the evidence for rosemary is still not conclusive. It may be used as a home health remedy for a lot of common conditions but there is not enough scientific evidence to support its effectiveness.

It has been studied for its potential effectiveness in treating blood clots, ulcers, gastrointestinal problems, asthma, skin conditions and more. In all of these studies, there was positive information gained on behalf of rosemary and the benefits of this herb look to be promising.

Rosemary makes a beautiful decorative addition to any kitchen. Cut at the base of the stem and hang upside down in bunches to dry in order to transform the living plant into a dried herb fit for sachets. It can be stripped of its leaves and put into small mesh pouches for placing in linen closets and drawers.

How to Grow Rosemary

Rosemary is extremely drought tolerant, making it an easy shrub to grow. It performs well in cooler climates too, surviving much cooler temperatures than most herbs. It is a beautiful plant and often used for pest control in gardens.

Rosemary needs full sun and well-drained soil. If the soil is not well-drained, the plant will die. It is not able to withstand long-term moisture at its roots.

Troubleshooting Rosemary

Rosemary is invasive and will take over a garden if not tended well. It is prone to spider mites, whiteflies, and mealybugs. It is also prone to root rot and mildew if left in soggy soil.

Hopefully, one day we will conclude with ample evidence that rosemary is not just an exceptional seasoning, but an ideal home health agent as well. For now, we will just have to settle for this beautiful plant to be a showstopper in the garden and in the kitchen.