Officinalis

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Sage

Species

rosmarinus

Description

A shrubby perennial, evergreen and aromatic plant, prized for its foliage with its unmistakable intense fragrance used in both culinary and phytotherapeutic applications. Also perfect as an ornamental plant for its blue-purple spring blossom. With bushy or prostrate-recumbent habit, depending on the variety, it has abundant branching. Widely adaptable, it can be grown in flowerbeds, open fields as well as in pots and outdoor tubs, preferring sunny exposures and a warm temperate climate.

Variety description

Most widespread variety of rosemary characterised by simple cultivation and good final production. The plant is also able to withstand arid climates. It does not require any special care, just be careful not to over-water. A species that can be placed in different exposures although it prefers full sun. Rosemary is characterised by the typical colour of its flowers and for this reason is also suitable for ornamental use. In addition to being particularly easy to grow and manage, it lends itself to various uses both culinary and in other areas such as cosmetics. In some cases, the plant can also reach a particularly large size and last for several years, guaranteeing continuity of production for the grower.

Curiosities and special features

The leaves of the rosemary plant are not only widely used in the culinary world, to flavour typical Mediterranean dishes, but also in cosmetics where the essential oil is used in the preparation of mouthwashes, creams, deodorants, shampoos for oily hair and tonics. Rosemary leaves also contain antioxidant substances such as vitamin C as well as fibres that help with proper intestinal and digestive function. In addition, some varieties are cultivated for honey production.

Origin and distribution

A species native to the Mediterranean where it can grow wild in coastal areas, along the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts; its natural biome is also evidenced by the name of the botanical genus to which it belongs, Rosmarinus, which derives from the Latin ros and maris meaning sea dew. Today, it is naturalised in most of Europe.

Recent genetic studies have led to a reclassification of rosemary, formerly belonging to the botanical genus Rosmarinus but now ascribed to the genus Salvia.

Flower size

The single flower, united in the inflorescence, is medium in size.

Leaf

Leafs, persistent and fragrant, have a linear, leathery lamina.

Fruit

The leaf contains no seeds and has a medium consistency. The flavour is characteristic, herbaceous, aromatic and strong, with a fresh and strong taste, while the aroma is intense and penetrating, imparting a very marked fragrance. The colouring is uniform, but the skin is not edible. Ripening takes place throughout the year, ensuring constant availability. From a quality point of view, the leaf shows good quality overall and is a variety with good organoleptic characteristics.

Flowering period

Also appreciated as an ornamental plant whose flowering lasts from early to mid-spring for 25 to 30 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence raceme or cluster, dense and consisting of several flowers.

Leaf colour

Unicolour shades.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.6 to 2 m depending on the growing conditions.

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen shrub; with the right cultural techniques it can guarantee excellent productivity for several years.

Where to plant

Versatile in use, it is suitable as a plant for flowerbeds, balconies, large pots, open fields, terraces, outdoor tubs.

Stem

The stem is woody, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is shaped with a labiate or bilabiate corolla of medium size and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in raceme or cluster inflorescences of medium size. It flowers from early to mid-spring, with a flowering period of between 25 and 30 days. It is unmistakably fragrant, with a delicate aroma. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

Variety with determined growth.

Plant habit

The developed habitus is bushy.

Branching

Theabundant branching adds value to the plant, with high density and density of foliage.

PH

For the rosemary plant, the ideal Soil pH range is relatively wide, varying from slightly acidic to alkaline with values between 6.0 and 9.0.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in spring-summer or autumn, it is advisable to carry out 20/30 cm deep digging to remove any weeds, residues of previous crops and bulky stones, then bury organic or chemical slow-release fertiliser and work the clods further using a hoe. To improve the drainage of excess water, preventing water stagnation, continue by slightly bouldering the soil, thus creating a raised bed where the seedlings will be transplanted according to a suitable planting pattern, then carefully level the surface with a rake.

During the cultivation cycle continue to work the soil surface to a depth of approximately 2/5 cm, removing adjacent weeds and breaking up any crust to improve water retention.

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Sun exposure

It adapts to different types of exposures such as half shade, full sun, afternoon sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 15 and 30 °C; it prefers a warm, dry climate.

Use

The variety is appreciated in a wide range of uses such as:

Agribusiness Cosmetic Medicinal / phytotherapeutic Profumeristic field Aromatics Room air-purifying plant

Hardiness

A variety of medium-high hardiness, it adapts to different soil types and tolerates hot, dry weather.

Soil

It adapts to different soil conditions, however the ideal growing soil is medium-textured, with organic matter and well draining. For pots or planters, the use of a horticultural potting soil with a blond and brown peat base is recommended; always use a substrate that allows good aeration in order to promote optimal root development.

Difficulty

Cultivation is extremely easy, both for professionals and hobbyists, requiring an overall low level of management effort.

Growing tips

We suggest some tricks and cultivation aspects aimed at obtaining the best productive results:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Prefers warm and dry climate

Intercropping/combination

Can be intercropped/combined with carrot, cabbage and bean during the first year of Growth, in view of the size attained later on.

Combinations with other plants

Also appreciated as an ornamental in mixed compositions with colourful spring-summer flowering Species or with other aromatic plants.

Planting

When transplanting into the flowerbed, prepare the planting holes in advance, spacing each plant correctly to ensure that they can express the best growth vigour, also in relation to the size reached at maturity we recommend an average density of 4 plants per square metre. Remove the seedling from its container without damaging the roots, placing it on a raised bed with the vegetative apex above the soil surface, and water immediately after transplanting.

Pruning

Carry out precise pruning cuts to contain the development of the plant and allow continuity in production. For harvesting, it is necessary to use tools that allow a clean cut of the vegetative part in order to favour a quick healing; do not make the cut on vegetative portions of the plant without leaves as this could compromise the final production; it is also advisable to always leave a few leaves below the cutting point.

Propagation

Multiplication can be by spring sowing as well as by cuttings.

Repotting

Repotting should be carried out at the end of the winter if the plant shows poor leaf development and the roots completely envelop the growing medium; if the plant is too vigorous, repotting is necessary in order to allow the root system in particular to continue its development. Use clean, larger containers and a specific high-quality substrate.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively canal or aqueduct water with an optimal sub-alkaline pH, intervening manually or by drip-wing irrigation, sub-irrigation or drip irrigation. During transplanting, assist the plant, which may be more exposed to water stress in the new site, by keeping it at a constant humidity without overdoing the quantities applied and avoiding water stagnation; moreover, after transplanting the lump, it is advisable to carry out a small localised irrigation to avoid root asphyxia phenomena. It is also advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant during the evening to prevent the spread of phytopathologies, and to water after the harvest pruning to help the plant in its vegetative recovery and in the production of new edible material. The water requirements of the rosemary plant are relatively low, but it is important to meet its water needs particularly in the spring-summer period, while in the colder periods it is fairly self-sufficient; prevent water stagnation as this is not tolerated by the plant.

For eventual sowing, moisten the seed to allow it to germinate and, after it has been completely buried and covered with a layer of substrate and inert material, keep the soil wet until the sprout emerges.

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Fertilising

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out a background fertilisation by burying slow-release organo-mineral fertiliser.

Subsequently, it is advisable to apply a water-soluble horticultural fertiliser to the soil or substrate, i.e. to be diluted in the irrigation water, according to suitable dosages and frequencies proportionate to the needs of the plant.

For a good production level over time it will be necessary to maintain a constant distribution of the maintenance fertiliser.

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Edibility for humans

Leafs are edible if taken properly.

Tip

This species requires little water and is particularly sensitive to waterlogging. Intercropping is possible especially in the first year due to the still small size of rosemary.