Rosemary
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Rosemary is a hardy, evergreen shrub valued for its fragrant, needle-like leaves and strong culinary flavour. Native to the Mediterranean, it prefers warm, dry conditions and free-draining soil, making it important to adapt growing methods for Irish conditions where excess moisture can be more of a challenge than cold. Rosemary can be grown from seed, but plants will take several years to grow large enough to start harvesting.
Growing Conditions
- Soil: Free-draining, light soil (add grit or sand if needed)
- Light: Full sun
- Spacing: 60–100 cm between plants
Sowing & Planting
- Rosemary is slow and unreliable from seed
- Best grown from young plants or cuttings. Softwood cuttings can be taken from new growth in spring or early summer, or you can take 'semi-ripe' cuttings throughout the summer - this is where there is some woody stem and greenery on your cutting. Either way take a cutting of about 10cm in length, strip most of the leaves from the bottom, leaving a few leaves on top and insert several cuttings into a pot of free draining compost (you can mix multi purpose compost with vermiculite or perlite for extra drainage). You can then water and place in a covered propagator or cover in a clear polythene bag to maintain humidity. Keep the cuttings in indirect sunlight and ventilate twice a week for about 10 minutes. These cuttings should root within about 2-6 weeks - just check the bottom of the pot for roots and once they have rooted you can pot them on.
- Plant out in spring in a sheltered, sunny spot
Care & Maintenance
- Avoid overwatering once established
- Prune lightly to maintain shape
- Do not cut into old woody growth
- Provide shelter from cold winds
Growing in Containers
- Ideal for pots in Irish conditions
- Use free-draining compost (add grit)
- Ensure pots have excellent drainage
- Move to a sheltered spot in winter if needed
Harvesting
Harvest sprigs as needed throughout the year. Light pruning encourages bushy growth.
Varieties to Try
- Miss Jessopp’s Upright – Tall, hardy variety
- Prostratus – Trailing type for containers
- Blue Lagoon – Compact and ornamental
Common Problems
- Root rot: Caused by waterlogged soil
- Winter damage: From cold winds and wet conditions
- Leggy growth: Lack of pruning or light
Culinary Use
- Roasted meats (especially lamb)
- Potatoes and root vegetables
- Breads and focaccia
Recipe – Rosemary Roast Potatoes
Ingredients
Potatoes
Fresh rosemary
Olive oil
Salt
- Toss potatoes with oil and rosemary.
- Roast until golden and crisp - usually around 30-40 minutes at 200ºC.
- You can also par boil your potatoes for around 5 minutes before tossing in the oil and rosemary, which can speed up roasting times to 20-30 minutes at 200ºC.
Nutritional Information
- Contains antioxidants
- Source of iron and calcium