Home and Living

Every year in November there appears to be a rush on health food stores in search for some sprigs of the famous rosemary plants. This rosemary rush is usually the precursor to the Thanksgiving meal, and any and all cooks will enthusiastically agree that Rosemary will add a seasoning to turkey meat that is second to none. Thus, cooks are contented with leaving Rosemary in the realm of herbs.

Yet gardeners beg to differ. While they grudgingly do acknowledge that this woody plant with its fragrant leaves is considered an herb, they see much more than just the culinary potential of this beautiful plant. To a gardener, rosemary is an ornamental plant.

So what is it about this rosemary rush that may threaten the peace and harmony betwixt gardening folk and cooking mavens? Here are some light-hearted facts that will help you take your place in this debate:

• Rosemary is considered a woody perennial, since its stems are made up primarily of woody tissues.
• Rosemary is an evergreen, which means that it will not shed its spiky leaves and remain bare during the cold winter months. In addition to the foregoing, it is considered polycarpic, which is a fancy word that numbers the rosemary amongst those plants to will flower copiously a number of times.
• Culinary fiends are quick to point out that Italian and Greek and Spanish cuisines have long since viewed rosemary as a staple of their cooking herbage.
• Landscapers, on the other hand, are delighted to point to the fact because of their drought-resistance; rosemary plants are a wonderful addition to any garden that may be located in the hotter climates. Additionally, since worms, flies, and aphids find this plant to be rather distasteful to their discerning palates, these plants are also relatively pest-free.
• Some gardening enthusiasts have succeeded in creating astonishing topiaries from rosemary shrubs.
• Quite possibly the death knell for those who wish to look to rosemary as only the occasional herb that will assist them in their cooking is the fact that gardeners specializing in ornamental gardening have long since known of the various hybrids of rosemary bushes available. While some of these hybrids are distinguished by their leaves, others are host to spectacular flowers. For example, the “Aureus” variety, as they name would indicate, is differentiated by its splendid yellow leaves while the “Golden Rain” boasts green leaves that have yellow streaks. The “Majorica Pink” sports bright, pink flowers, while the “Pyramidalis” shows off its light blue blossoms.
• Also adding to the mix of herb versus ornamental shrub debate are the homeopaths who know that rosemary is not only a useful disinfectant but a great cure for headaches.

So who is right in this apparently endless? As much as folks would like to point fingers to one side or another, it should be mentioned that all sides are correct. Rosemary is indeed an herb as well as an ornamental plant. Its culinary contributions cannot possibly be denied, nor can its medicinal properties be downplayed. Yet it is important to note that simply because a plant is tasty and healthful, it does not mean that it should be planted in rows for functional use.

As a matter of fact, there is no reason why a tasty herb should not also be beautifully displayed. Considering the wide array of flowers and leaf sizes and shapes, as well the possibility of having this plant shaped as a stunning topiary, there is no reason why you can’t have your ornamental shrub and eat it, too!

If you feel you are ready to add this wonderful plant to your garden, go ahead and visit your local garden supply center and purchase some healthy looking specimens there. While it is a hardy plant that will do well in almost any soil, it does have a distinct preference for light and dry soil. It does not appreciate standing in water, and most certainly would prefer not to be whipped around by the wind. If you are planning to cut some portions off for cooking, be certain not to use any herbicides or pesticides near the or even on the plant. Since it is considered unpalatable by the majority of garden pests, you should not have many problems in that department. At the time of harvest, be certain to use a very sharp knife to minimize the injury to the plant. Enjoy!