Rosemary is a versatile and easy-to-grow herb that adds flavor to many dishes. With its fragrant, pine-like scent and pretty blue flowers, rosemary makes a great addition to any herb garden. If you’re looking to buy a rosemary plant, you have several options for finding healthy, robust plants from reputable sellers.
Why Grow Rosemary?
Before deciding where to purchase rosemary, it’s helpful to understand why you might want to grow this herb in the first place. Here are some of the top benefits of rosemary plants:
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Culinary uses – Rosemary has a woodsy, aromatic flavor that enhances many dishes It’s commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine and works well with chicken, fish, pork, salads, vegetables and more. The leaves can be used fresh or dried
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Ornamental value – With its upright shape and light blue blossoms rosemary makes a beautiful landscape plant. Varieties like creeping rosemary work well in rock gardens or cascading over walls.
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Fragrance – Rosemary’s scent is energizing and has been shown to boost memory and concentration Plant it along paths or near seating areas where you can enjoy its fragrance
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Easy care – Once established, rosemary is relatively drought tolerant and requires little care. It’s also deer resistant.
Where to Buy Rosemary Plants
When it’s time to purchase a rosemary plant for your herb garden, you have several options:
Online Nurseries
Ordering rosemary plants online is convenient, provides a wide selection and enables you to have plants shipped directly to your door. Reputable online sellers to consider include:
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Wilson Bros Gardens – Family-owned nursery offering a wide selection of rosemary varieties in different sizes, from 1 quart to 3 gallon pots. All plants are backed by a 1 year guarantee.
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The Growers Exchange – Specialized online herb nursery with many rosemary varieties to choose from. Plants are sustainably grown and shipped at the proper planting time for your region.
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Home Depot – Large retailer offering plants online and in stores. Look for healthy plants from growers like Bonnie Plants. Free shipping on orders over $45.
Local Nurseries
Shopping for plants at local nurseries enables you to hand select the specific rosemary plants you’ll be taking home:
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Independent nurseries – Check out small, family-owned nurseries in your area that focus on serving home gardeners. Staff are often very knowledgeable about plant care.
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Farmers markets – Many urban farmers and small-scale growers sell herb plants at local farmers markets, particularly in spring. Ask questions to learn more about how the plants were grown.
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Hardware stores/garden centers – Retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s stock a basic selection of rosemary plants, often sourced from large growers like Bonnie Plants or Monrovia.
Order Bare Root Plants By Mail
Many plant nurseries sell dormant bare root rosemary plants that are shipped during early spring or fall. These economical plants come without soil and require more care when planting, but are a budget-friendly option. Check for deadlines to order plants for your plant hardiness zone.
What To Look For When Buying Rosemary Plants
To choose vigorous, healthy rosemary plants:
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Select plants with upright, bright green foliage. Avoid any yellow or wilted leaves.
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Look for plants with well-established root systems. Gently remove plants from pots to inspect roots if possible.
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For potted plants, choose ones in 1-5 gallon containers. Bigger is better to allow for an established root system.
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Seek out varieties suitable for your climate. Ask for recommendations for hardy cultivars.
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Inspect plants closely for signs of pests like spider mites, aphids, scale or mealybugs.
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Opt for organic plants if possible to avoid chemical residues.
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Pick plants with buds or flowers, a sign of maturity.
Caring for Rosemary Plants
Once you’ve brought rosemary plants home, proper care is required to keep them looking their best:
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Plant in a spot with full sun and well-drained soil. Amend soil with compost as needed.
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Don’t overwater! Rosemary prefers dry conditions. Allow soil to mostly dry out between waterings.
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Fertilize lightly in spring with an organic fertilizer. Avoid high-nitrogen formulas.
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Prune periodically to shape plants and remove dead or damaged growth.
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Bring potted rosemary indoors before frost. Provide plenty of light from a sunny window.
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Protect plants from winter damage. Mulch ground plantings. Grow cold-hardy varieties.
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Propagate new plants from stem cuttings to expand your rosemary collection.
Enjoy Fresh and Fragrant Rosemary From Your Garden
Adding rosemary to your herb garden is an excellent way to enjoy fresh flavor and lovely fragrance year-round. With proper selection and care, rosemary is easy to grow at home. Check your local nurseries or order plants online from reputable sellers offering a variety of healthy, vigorous rosemary plants best suited to your climate. Growing this flavorful herb at home will reward you with beautiful foliage and bountiful harvests to use in the kitchen.
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0 Where in the World
Rosmarinus officinalis is native to the Mediterranean region.
0 A Bit of Botany
description Rosmarinus officinalis, which is known commonly as rosemary, is a woody, perennial herb of the mint family Lamiaceae.
Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with leaves similar in appearance to hemlock needles. The plant can grow in forms that range from upright to trailing. When upright, rosemary can reach 5 feet (1.5 m) in height, or more rarely up to 6 or 7 feet (2m). Rosemarys leaves are evergreen, and measure 2–4 cm (0.8–1.6 in) in length and just 2–5 mm broad. The leaves have green topsides and are white below; they have short, dense, woolly hair.
In temperate climates, rosemary flowers during spring and summer, however in warm climates rosemary can bloom continuously. Rosemary flowers can be white, pink, purple, or deep blue.
common names & nomenclature The name rosemary derives from ros and marinus, Latin for “dew” and “sea” respectively, or collectively “dew of the sea”.
Also known as: rosemary, polar plant, compass-weed, compass plant, rosmarinus coronarium
Chef’s Choice Rosemary – Garden Plants with @JimPutnam
FAQ
When to buy rosemary plants?
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Year-round availability:Rosemary plants are commonly available at nurseries and garden centers throughout the year.
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Spring/Summer for best growth:While they can be purchased anytime, spring and summer are ideal for planting rosemary outdoors, as the warmer temperatures favor their growth.
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Indoor options:If you prefer to grow rosemary indoors, you can purchase plants at any time of year, making sure they get ample sunlight and are in a suitable pot size.
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Propagating from cuttings:If you already have a rosemary plant, you can also propagate new plants from cuttings, which can be done year-round.
Can you buy rosemary at the grocery store?
You will find fresh rosemary with other herbs in the supermarket. It is usually sold in bunches or small packages containing a few sprigs. You can also buy dried rosemary leaves or powdered extract from the spice section.
Where can rosemary plant be found?
rosemary, (Salvia rosmarinus), small evergreen plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae), the leaves of which are used to flavor foods. Native to the dry and rocky areas of the Mediterranean region, it has been introduced and cultivated across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
What is the best month to plant rosemary?
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Warm Soil:Rosemary thrives in warm soil, and spring provides the optimal conditions for root establishment.
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Longer Growing Season:Los Angeles has a mild climate, but spring ensures the plants have ample time to mature before the summer heat.
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Avoids Frost:While rosemary is generally frost-tolerant, newly planted seedlings are best protected from freezing temperatures.