Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary is an perennial evergreen herb valued for its fragrant, ornamental foliage and as an enhancement in cooking. Rosemary has a low tolerance for wet, humid environments and requires careful tending in an appropriate spot in North Carolina gardens. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot, and poor air circulation, which can foster powdery mildew.The plant has an arching or rounded form and, when mature, can reach 6 feet in height. Note that the cultivar, 'Prostratus', has a form that is lower and creeping.

Rosemary plants are slow to germinate from seed and gardeners might find more success propagating from stem cuttings, layering, or division. Once established, rosemary is drought and salt spray tolerant and resists predation from deer. Wet, poorly-drained soils in winter are usually fatal, and heavy clay soils and overwatering can retard plant growth, but Rosemary does best in light, slightly acidic, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Rosemary does display pale to dark blue flowers and, once the bloom has passed, you can severely prune to encourage dense foliage growth or cut to specific shapes.

The genus name, Rosmarinus, comes from the Latin words ros (dew) and marinus (sea), or dew of the sea, in probable reference to the ability of this plant to thrive well in coastal areas (sea cliffs) and exposure to ocean mists.