Rosmarinus Prostrato Compact

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Sage

Species

rosmarinus

Description

Shrubby perennial plant, evergreen and aromatic, 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.

Varietal description

A variety of rosemary with a prostrate growth habit, which means that although it is vigorous it does not tend to grow very tall. It is characterised by short internodes and constant production throughout the year. Cultivation is fairly simple as the crop is able to adapt to different types of soil; the important thing will be the balance of irrigation and fertigation towards the plant. The plant can potentially be grown both in pots and in open fields or protected environments.

curiosity 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 Diffusion

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/product

The leaf has a linear shape and medium consistency, being uniform in colour. It contains no seeds and the skin is not edible. From a sensory point of view, it has a characteristic, herbaceous, aromatic and strong flavour. The aroma is intense and penetrating, while the leaf is very fragrant. Overall, it presents good quality, representing 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 color

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.

Suggested planting locations

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

Stem/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/medium

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.

Maintenance

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

cultivation 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.

Composition

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

planting

When transplanting into the flower bed, 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. In order to harvest, it is necessary to use tools that allow a clean cut of the vegetative part in order to favour a quick healing; do not perform the cut on vegetative portions of the plant without leaves as this could compromise the final production, furthermore it is advisable to always leave some leaves below the cutting point.

Reproduction/Propagation

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

potting

Repotting should be carried out at the end of the winter if the plant has 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.

Irrigation

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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Fertilization

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.

advise 1

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.