Rosemary is a member of the mint family. It is a woody, perennial herb and very fragrant. It has evergreen needle-like leaves and can have white, pink, purple, or blue flowers. Rosemary is often found in the Mediterranean region.
Flowering Rosemary
Wedding ceremonies throughout the Middle Ages were filled with Rosemary. The bride would wear a headpiece made from Rosemary. The groom and wedding guests would wear a sprig of it. Because of this relationship with weddings, Rosemary quickly became a love charm.
This needle like leaf is used in traditional Italian cooking. They are very fragrant and have a bitter, astringent taste . It also complements a wide variety of foods. When burned, these leaves give off a mustard-like smell. Rosemary can be used to flavor foods while barbecuing. Stuffing, roast lamb, pork, chicken and turkey are enhanced when seasoned with Rosemary.
Rosemary plant
Since it is attractive and drought tolerant, this herb can be used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscaping. It is especially nice in regions with a moderate climate. It is considered easy to grow and pest-resistant. Rosemary can grow quite large and retain attractiveness for many years. It can be pruned into formal shapes and even hedges. It is easily grown in pots, so perfect for apartment and condo living. A groundcover of Rosemary spreads easily and widely, with a dense and durable texture.
Rosemary grows nicely in loam soil. It needs good drainage in an open, sunny position. It does not appreciate waterlogging. A few varieties are susceptible to the cold temperatures and frost. It grows best in neutral to alkaline conditions with average fertility. It can be propagated from an existing plant by clipping a shoot from a new growth, stripping a few leaves from the bottom, and planting it directly into the soil.
This herb can make you a better chef and landscape architect simultaneously. How’s that for enhancing its importance?
