Rosemary is a woody herb native to the dry hillsides of the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, which includes many other pungent and deer resistant herbs. Contrary to popular belief, Rosemary was not named in honor of the Virgin Mary or even a rose. The Latin ros marinus means roughly “dew of the sea”, perhaps a reference to the small blue flowers which from a distance can look like dewdrops, or is more likely a reference to some forgotten tale. Ironically, in herbal lore Rosemary is associated with remembrance of things past.
How to Grow Rosemary: Rosemary is a tender perennial and usually should be treated as an annual below Zone 6 or 7, depending on the variety. Trailing varieties are not hardy at all below Zone 7. The upright growers are the hardiest, and we grow the rosemary variety Rosemary officinalis ‘Arp’, which trials have proven to be the hardiest variety. ‘Arp’ usually overwinters for us here at the Stargazer Perennials Farm in Zone 5a but has been known to succumb to harsh winters. Rosemary demands well-drained soil and can die of over-watering.
Uses for Rosemary: Culinary and medical. Rosemary is an indispensable herb in the kitchen used to season sauces, stews, salads and breads. Infused in olive oil it lends a subtle, earthy fragrance and flavor to food. Rosemary is high in the constituents carnosol and ursolic acid which have been shown to provide natural anti-oxidant protection against skin photodamage.
Herbal Lore: Folklore tells us that Rosemary will only grow where the woman is the boss in the marriage. In other cultures, however, bouquets of Rosemary were emblematic of “manly virtues” and were presented to a man on his wedding day. Rosemary is often associated with remembrance, which may explain why Ophelia presented Hamlet a bunch of rosemary. Perhaps she wanted to remind the melancholy Dane of the day when he: “Let in the maid, that out a maid/ Never departed more”