Salvia rosmarinus is the accepted name for rosemary, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis. It forms a bushy evergreen shrub with woody brown stems and closely spaced opposite linear leaves that are dark green above and pale felted beneath.
Small pale-blue, lavender, or white two-lipped flowers appear in axillary clusters, often from winter into spring in warm climates, and attract bees and butterflies. The aromatic leaves are widely harvested for cooking, while the plant also serves as a sunny hedge, specimen, container plant, or pollinator resource.
Grow rosemary in full sun and sharply drained chalk, loam, or sand. Let the soil surface dry between waterings, protect container plants from severe cold, trim lightly after flowering, and avoid soggy winter soil. Sensitive handlers should wear gloves because the foliage may irritate skin.
