Cumberland 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'
- 'Rocky Top', 'Snowflake'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Rocky Top'
- 'Snowflake'
- 'Rocky Top'
- 'Rocky Top', 'Snowflake'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Nutlets
-
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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
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-
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
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-
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
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-
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
