Guest Author - Hellie T.
History
Rosemary gets its name from the Latin Ros marinus literally “dew of the sea”, and was originally from the warm islands of the Mediterranean.
It is thought to have travelled with the Romans to England where it has flourished ever since.
It was the favourite scent of Napoleon and Queen Anne while Louis X1V of France had all his clothes and bed linen perfumed with it.
In the sixteenth century Sir Thomas More wrote of his Chelsea garden
as for rosemary I let it run all over my garden walls, not only because my bees love it but because it is the herb sacred to love and remembrance and therefore friendship.
In Hamlet, Shakespeare has Ophelia say There’s Rosemary that’s for remembrance
It has been used for centuries at funerals were a sprig of rosemary is thrown on to the coffin before burial - symbolizing remembrance.
There is a saying in the shires of England that when Rosemary flourishes in the garden then the woman is the master of the household!
Description
It is a half-hardy perennial evergreen shrub, with pine like spiky fragrant grey green leaves.
The flowers can be white, pink, purple or blue and generally it flowers from spring to late summer.
Cultivation
It needs protection from the frost and does well if grown in pots, enabling it to be moved to shelter during the colder weather.
In the garden it prefers a dry well-drained soil with no manure added and a sunny spot, away from the prevailing wind, so a sheltered south facing area would be best.
Be warned rosemary hates a wet spot and nothing will kill it faster than to have its roots surrounded by soggy soil.
The taller varieties thrive if planted against a sunny wall.
Propagate by heel cuttings in July or sow seed in the spring.
Garden uses
Since Shakespeare’s time rosemary has been clipped into domes or spheres and it makes a lovely fragrant low hedge (2-3ft or 60 -90cm) and is an ideal border for a rose garden.
Plant it by a doorway or a gate so that when you brush past it you get a wonderful rush of its sweet scent.
Planting near the door is also useful as rosemary is an excellent culinary herb.
Other Uses
Strew in a warm bath to relieve tired aching limbs and inspire the mind
A handful of shoots simmered in a pint of water for 10-15 minutes makes a marvellous rinse for dark hair – do try it!
Use it in cooking it goes well with all roast meats.
Varieties
Miss Jessup’s Upright for walls –has lavender blue flowers.
Albus has white flowers
Suffolk has bright sky blue flowers
Blue Spire has deep blue flowers
Majorca pink –pink flowers
Roseus –pink flowers
Beneden Blue and Severn Sea have blue flowers and are of prostate habit.
Lastly - a sprig put under your pillow will stop bad dreams!
Enjoy your garden!
