False Rosemary Conradina canescens
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Conradina brevifolia
- Conradina puberula
- Phonetic Spelling
- kon-rah-DEE-nah kan-ESS-senz
- Description
-
False rosemary is an evergreen flowering perennial shrub that is native to Southeast Mississippi to Northwest Florida and grows in the sandy coastal dunes, sandhills, and scrub areas. In appearance, it resembles rosemary, the savory cooking spice; however, false rosemary has a minty fragrance when crushed. This shrub grows 2 to 3 feet tall and equally as wide. The stems are upright and woody, and its leaves are needle-like, grayish-green to silvery-green. Flowers bloom from March through November, and they are purplish-white and two-lipped. This plant is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). The genus name, Conradina, is in honor of an American botanist, Solomon White Conrad, from the 18th century. The specific epithet, canescens, is derived from the Latin word canescere, meaning "to turn white or gray." This refers to the white hairs that are found on the flowers and leaves.
False rosemary thrives in full sun and dry, well-drained, sandy soils. It is a very drought-tolerant and adaptable plant. It is winter hardy in zones 8a to 9b. Propagated by seeds or stem cuttings. Many pollinators are attracted to this plant, especially bees.
False rosemary is restricted for use on the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. For those areas, this species may be considered for use as a groundcover in a coastal landscape. This plant has been placed on the endangered list by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect or disease problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Gray Ghost'
up to 2 feet tall, clumping habit, short gray leaves, small mauve-lavender flowers, hardy zones 7b to 10b, - 'Gray Mound'
15 to 18 inches tall, gray-green foliage, small blue-gray flowers, hardy zones 7 to 9
- 'Gray Ghost'
- 'Gray Ghost', 'Gray Mound'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Gray Ghost'
up to 2 feet tall, clumping habit, short gray leaves, small mauve-lavender flowers, hardy zones 7b to 10b, - 'Gray Mound'
15 to 18 inches tall, gray-green foliage, small blue-gray flowers, hardy zones 7 to 9
- 'Gray Ghost'
- 'Gray Ghost', 'Gray Mound'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Conradina
- Species:
- canescens
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeast Mississippi to Northwest Florida
- Distribution:
- Native: Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports native bees and pollinators. Habitat for beach mouse.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits is a tiny, dry, nutlet.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers form in the leaf axils and are purplish-white and two-lipped. The lower lip has 3 lobes and has dark purple spots. The stamens are inside the upper lip. The sepals are fused and have fine hairs.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are up to 0.5 inches long, grayish-green or silvery-green, and needle-like with fine hairs. The margins are entire, and the leaves are arranged oppositely. When the leaves are crushed, they have a mint-like scent.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are numerous, spreading, stiffly erect, with pubescent reddish-brown to green stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Salt
- Problems:
- Short-lived
