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Conradina verticillata is often confused with:
Conradina canescens Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Chrysopsis mariana Chrysopsis mariana
Phlox subulata Phlox subulata
Thymus vulgaris Thymus vulgaris

Cumberland False Rosemary Conradina verticillata

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
kon-rah-DEE-nah ver-tik-il-LAH-tah
Description

Cumberland Rosemary is a small native shrub in the mint family of the Cumberland Plateau and is found growing in sandy/gravelly stream banks which generally have seasonal flooding followed by somewhat dry summers. The stems spread along the ground and can root at nodes forming clumps or mats of the plant.

The fragrant leaves resemble culinary Rosemary and the fragrant lavender-pink flowers appear in May to June.  Prefers well-drained sandy and poorer soil in full sun but will tolerate some shade. Great for naturalizing and will reseed itself which is good as it is generally short-lived.

It is listed as threated in the wild but has been cultivated and is available for purchase.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Rocky Top'
  • 'Snowflake'
'Rocky Top', 'Snowflake'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#winter interest#naturalizes#rock garden#naturalized area#sandy soils tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Rocky Top'
  • 'Snowflake'
'Rocky Top', 'Snowflake'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#winter interest#naturalizes#rock garden#naturalized area#sandy soils tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Conradina
    Species:
    verticillata
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Central U.S.A
    Distribution:
    Kentucky and Tennessee/Cumberland Plateau/Piedmont areas.
    Edibility:
    It can be used as a rosemary substitute.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Nutlets
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant 0.5 inch 2 lipped lavender-pink flowers with red spots. Flowers in May to June
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    3/4 inch stiff, needle-like leaves resemble rosemary
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    Shaggy red-brown stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Short-lived