Rosemary Trails, Green and Blue

This winter has been one of the coldest on record for the last fifty years in the Sonoran Desert region.  Until the freezing temperatures, my trees, shrubs and plants have endured six years of vitality with no problems.  My yard, however and everyone else’s in the neighborhood is a fiasco of brown demise.   After loosing over thirty plants, it is now time to re-landscape.   I’m really sorry for the loss, but I find it energizing to explore the season’s new plants at the local nursery.   It’s not the laborious work that excites me, but basking in the after glow of a well thought out and planted garden.

Before planting though, there’s a huge dead plant problem that we must address.  My husband, David and I have to cut back the oversized Lantanas, Hibiscus and Bougainvillea’s.  Then, it’s on to digging out the roots, which I gladly pass the shovel over to him.  Finally after all the laborious work, we cut the plants down to small sticks so they can fit into the green bin that get’s collected once a week.  This part seems like a walk in the park compared to the previous exertion.  With the green bin getting collected once a week, this project should take around six weeks.  

After carefully analyzing ideas for my new garden I realize hardy plants will be best to take the place of those that have recently passed.   In my backyard I have a retaining wall and since all plants will have to be replaced I’ve decided to add Trailing Rosemary.  This will give the area an evergreen and decorative lift. 

Trailing Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis is a fragrant evergreen ground cover that thrives in arid zones.  It also tolerates frost and freezing temps as low as 10° F.   This evergreen is not only attractive, but also blooms tiny blue (almost purple) or white flowers.  The bees do love these flowers, so if you don’t mind the buzzing, then Rosemary will brighten any desert garden all year long. 

Rosemary flowers from winter to spring and does well in the full sun (six hours or more).   This moderate growing ground cover is a desert gardener’s dream because it’s drought resistance and doesn’t need daily watering.  In fact, the plant only needs water every two-three weeks in the summer and once a month in the winter.  If the leaves turn yellow, then take it as a sign to give it more water.  

Rosemary likes a sandy, well-drained soil and requires only a fish/kelp emulsion to jump-start it at the beginning of the growing season.   Although, difficult to start from seed, you can cut a two inch stem from an existing plant and propagate by placing it in water.  Once the roots grow, plant in a warm location with indirect sun until the plant is established, then transplant to a sunny location.  

Plant Trailing Rosemary in herb gardens, containers or in pots on balconies for beautiful cascading effects.  I also use regular upright Rosemary shrubs to accent my retaining wall for a border effect.  This will give any big empty space depth and color.

Trailing Rosemary
Photo by Bev McMann

To prune: Shear the top, but not past the last bit of foliage to encourage the side branches to spread.

Uses:

Culinary herbs—add to vegetables, poultry and soups.  Rich in Vitamin A, C, Iron, Phosphorus, Zinc and Magnesium.
Rosemary infused olive oil
Medicinal/essential oils
Cut Flowers

For References see "Sources" tab.