False Rosemary Conradina canescens
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Conradina brevifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- kon-rah-DEE-nah kan-ESS-senz
- Description
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Wild Rosemary is an evergreen woody shrub in the mint family that is native to FL, AL and MS and grows in the sandy coastal plains. The needle-like leaves have a mint fragrance when crushed and from March through November it is covered in small 2-lipped, fragrant flowers in blue, lavender or white that support pollinators.
Grow this shrub in very well-drained sandy soils in full sun. It is a very drought tolerant and adaptable plant. Use as a low hedge or in a pollinator garden. They are also used to help stabilize sand dunes.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 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:
- AL, FL, MS
- Distribution:
- AL, FL, MS
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports native bees and pollinators.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 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
- 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:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits contain 4 nutlets.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Lavender, blue or white 2 lipped flowers form in the axils. The lower lip has dark spots.
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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:
- 1/2 inch long gray-green needle-like leaves with fine hairs are opposite, simple, entire and fragrant.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Spreading to erect pubescent reddish-brown to green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- 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:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Salt
