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Wild Rosemary Conradina canescens

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Conradina brevifolia
Phonetic Spelling
kon-rah-DEE-nah kan-ESS-senz
Description

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:
Tags:
#evergreen#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#blue flowers#specialized bees#lavender flowers#rock garden#pollinator plant#evergreen shrub#gray-green leaves#nectar plant spring#sandy soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#blue flowers#specialized bees#lavender flowers#rock garden#pollinator plant#evergreen shrub#gray-green leaves#nectar plant spring#sandy soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly#container plant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits contain 4 nutlets.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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