Give me 5 minutes and I'll give you the secrets of growing rosemary

GROWING HERBS HOME PAGE:

Growing Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis

In grouping together dominate garden colors, groups of the lovely Rosemary blossom in shades of pale to deep blue. The gray-green foliage attracts honeybees.

History

For more than 3,000 years, the rosemary plant has been used in a myriad of ways for its lovely aroma, which invokes thoughts of romance. The herb has also been seen down through the ages as legendary symbol. The ancient Egyptians and Arabs planted rosemary as a border plant in exotic gardens.

The rosemary plant was one of the herbs often cultivated in medieval monastery gardens. The plant was taken to England by the Romans, where growing Rosemary has flourished ever since.

Many lyrics have been written to describe the sweetness of the rosemary herb, which is a symbol of love and remembrance. The wistful lines of a haunting Slovenian folk song read:Rosemary, how dear to me thou art;

Though thy leaves haven fallen one by one,The pale blue bud he picked for me,Will bloom forever in my heart.

There is a legend that the beautiful shade of the soft blue flowers of the rosemary herb turned into this incredibly delicate color after the blossoms had been touched by the blue cape the Virgin Mary wore as she passed over them lightly on her journeys of mercy.

As early as the 15th century, English brides wore sprigs of rosemary in their hair and carried the sweet herb in their bridal bouquets.

Sprays of rosemary were also used in funeral decorations. On Armistice Day, a wreath of rosemary is still placed on the graves of English soldiers

Growing Rosemary

The rosemary plant is an erect perennial evergreen that will often reach five feet in height. Its very narrow leaves are slightly bent with the topside a bright shiny green and the underside a downy gray.

The herb develops into a shrubby bush and in warmer climates makes a good hedge. It blossoms during April and May. The blossoms range from a pale blue to a deeper purplish-blue.

Cultivating

Rosemary is usually propagated by cuttings and divisions. It grows readily in poor, dry, limy soil. It may be grown from seed. Start seeds indoors early in the spring. Transplant when about one inch high.

Place the herb near the outer edge of the garden where there is plenty of sun and the growing rosemary will not shade the other plants.

In some gardens, rosemary is planted as a hedge. By the end of the second year of growing rosemary, the plant will make a dense shrub about two feet in diameter.

Unless the plants are well protected, they should be brought indoors during the winter. When new cuttings are desired, simply break off a sprig of rosemary. Allow the cutting to stand in wet sand until it becomes rooted.

Uses

The fresh or dried leaves give an exciting flavor to many appetizers, eggs, fish, meats, poultry, soups, and vegetables. The dried leaves are also used in sachets. Rosemary oil is added in perfumes and toiletries.

Harvest

For culinary purposes, one plant of growing rosemary is usually sufficient to supply the average sized family. The leaves may be harvested as soon as they are fully-grown. Fresh leaves have a warm, pungent taste that is a bit bitter.

The plants may be trimmed back two or three times during the season. Place the tender leaves and stems on a screen to dry in a shady location. The entire dried herb is then crushed and stored in airtight containers.

Rosemary Leaf Tea 30 Bags Rosemary Leaf TeaNative to the Mediterranean, where warmer temperatures prevail, Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) was introduced to Britain by the Romans. Boughs of Rosemary have had many uses in the past. They were carried at weddings, used to freshen rooms, and burned as incense.. . They are also used as a pungent flavoring in cooking. The leaves, fresh or dried, can be used with chicken , meats (especially lanb), stews, breads, pizzas, and vegetables. Dried leaves can also be added to the coals of barbecues, near the end of cooking, to impact Rosemary's characteristic flavor to meats..

Rosemary 1 Oz with Alcohol RosemaryRosemary Leaf (Rosmarinus Officinalis) used for flatulence, dyspepsia, headache, depression, muscular pain, sciatica, and neuralgia. Rosemary may be used as an astringent for kidney, bladder and colon, controlling diarrhea and reducing urine excretion and intestinal leakage.(Rosemary by Eclectic Institute Inc.).