Features and Plant Characteristics
More than an ordinary culinary herb, Upright Rosemary is a multifunctional, decorative, hardy plant that has some unique characteristics:
- Life Span: A perennial plant that will last 10-15 years if taken care of properly.
- Leaves: Dark green upper surface, silver undersurface, needle-like, strong fragrance when crushed.
- Height: 3-5 ft (90-150 cm), some cultivars 6 ft (180 cm).
- Bloom Season: Spring (late winter - early summer) with scattered bloom into fall in mild climates.
- Flowers: Small funnel-shaped flowers that are blue, lavender, pink, or white.
- Growth Habit: Stiff woody stems; more gnarled and textured as the plant ages.
Uses
From culinary uses to decorative value, Upright Rosemary is truly one of the most useful plants for home and garden alike.
- Culinary: Rosemary is an essential part of Mediterranean cuisine. The leaves are used fresh or dried as a seasoning for meats, poultry, fish, bread, soups, and roasted vegetables. Upright cultivars yield large quantities of tasty leaves.
- Ornamental Gardens: Upright Rosemary has a dense and vertical habit that makes it perfect for use as hedges, garden borders, and structural plantings. Its year-round interest is provided by the evergreen color of its foliage.
- Containers and Indoor Growing: Upright Rosemary thrives in pots and makes a great plant for patios and balconies as long as your soil is well-drained and the plant is in a safe location where it will get sufficient sunlight.
- Medicinal and Aromatherapy: Rosemary has been traditionally used to help with memory, digestion, and circulation, and the essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy and skincare.
- Pollinator Plant: The flowers offer rich nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, adding diversity and life to the garden.
Growing Conditions
To grow well, Upright Rosemary needs the following conditions that are similar to its natural Mediterranean environment:
- Soil: Sandy to loamy, well-drained soil. You do not want heavy clay or constantly wet conditions. pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline (6.5-7.5).
- Watering: Drought-tolerant after establishment. Water only when the soil is dry (the soil should dry out between waterings). Watering too much is the most common reason for failure to grow your plants.
- Light: Needs full sunlight for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day. Too little light causes leggy growth.
- Temperature: Suited to temperate and warm climates. Hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10, though with winter protection, it can be grown in cooler areas.
- Air Circulation: Should be well ventilated to avoid fungal diseases. Avoid overcrowding with other plants.
Seed Morphology
Rosemary seeds are small and subtle, often neglected in favour of the more commonly used cuttings.
- Size: About 1-2mm long
- Color: Brown to black in an oval shape.
- Texture: Light surface, light weight, little natural oil content compared with other herb seeds.
Germination Requirements
Growing Upright Rosemary from seed is possible but slow and inconsistent as compared to growing from cuttings.
- Temperature: Best germination is at 65–75°F (18–24°C).
- Light: Seeds benefit from exposure to light. Sow seeds on the surface of the soil and tamp them down slightly, but do not bury them.
- Soil: Sterile soil or a mix is preferred, but well-draining soil also works.
- Watering: The soil should be kept evenly moist but not soggy. Too wet conditions prevent germination.
- Time frame: Germination is slow, typically 2-4 weeks; some seeds take up to 3 months to germinate.
Seed Viability and Vigor
Knowing how long Upright Rosemary seeds will last and how hardy they are to germinate is important for successful cultivation.
- Germination Rate: Naturally low: range is between 30%-50%.
- Viability Period: The seed is viable for 1 - 2 years if stored correctly.
- Storage Conditions: Storage in dry and cool conditions is important for maintaining vigor.
- Alternative Methods: Because of the poor dependability of seeds, gardeners will often opt for cuttings, which are more likely to root and are true-to-type plants.
Propagation and Sowing
Propagation is an important aspect of growing Upright Rosemary, and while seeds can be used, cuttings are more convenient.
- Seeds: Sow indoors late winter/early spring. Be patient in the germination process and keep warm on a heat mat.
- Cuttings: Take 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) semi-hardwood cuttings, spring or summer. Remove bottom leaves, dust with rooting hormone, and stick in sandy soil or perlite mix.
- Spacing: Rosemary plants need to be spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart to allow for adequate airflow and growth.
- Transplanting: Move seedlings and rooted cuttings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
Disease and Pest Resistance
Rosemary is fairly resistant and hardy, but a few pests and diseases can affect its growth.
- Aphids & Spider Mites: Will attack young growth. Inspection and insecticidal soap are best to control the infestations.
- Whiteflies: This is common in either greenhouse or indoor plants. Use glue traps or biological control
- Root Rot: Rotten root caused by overwatered soil or poorly drained soil. Prevention is the best form of treatment-soil should be dry between waterings.
- Powdery Mildew: Likes humid and poorly ventilated conditions. Provide good airflow and do not overwater.
For effective and safe solutions to keep your rosemary healthy, check out Growcycle’s full range of pest control products.
Storage and Handling
To maintain the long-term viability of the harvested material and seeds, proper handling of them is critical:
- Seeds: Keep in sealed containers in a cool, dark place. Recommended storage temperature is 40–50°F (4–10°C).
- Dried Leaves: Make sprigs, allow to dry in a warm place with plenty of air circulation, out of direct sun, and store in glass jars. Retain flavor for as long as one year.
- Fresh Sprigs: May be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for longer use.
Summary
Upright Rosemary is a lovely, durable shrub that is both ornamental and culinary and medicinally useful. Its upright habit makes it suitable for hedges and formal plantings; but its fragrant leaves are a mainstay in kitchens the world over. Cuttings are the most preferred mode of propagation due to their higher success rate as compared to the propagation by seed. Whether used as an edible, as an ornamental or as a fragrance, Upright Rosemary will provide years of functional and ornamental beauty to your garden.
