Rosmarinus / Rosemary

Like Thymes with whom they enjoy similar well drained alkaline conditions in full sun, Rosemarys seem to have been dressed by their enthusiasts in the Emperor's new clothes Many varieties appear identical and no one notices if the labels have been swapped over.

We try to keep at least two of the various basic types to offer the widest range of height, leaf type and flower colour. Fine leaved and/or prostrate varieties are a pain to pick and thus fairly useless for the kitchen. For this purpose we recommend either "Israeli commercial" or white. We also have a number of prostrate and upright forms collected from around the Mediterranean and unlisted here. Obviously no truly fanatical collector can live without them so please ask about them

The following plants may be available to buy from Arne Herbs Nursery. Please contact us or call +44 (0) 1275 333 399 to confirm stock availability.

Rosmarinus officinalis Corsican blue
Semi prostrate with dark blue flowers on arching stems

Rosmarinus officinalis Fota Blue
Very similar top the above but, coming from Fota, ought in theory at least, to enjoy rain more

Rosmarinus officinalis Israeli Commercial
We like this one for its high aromatic oil content and thick leaves, the best one to cook with though not as tough as some English varieties. Pale blue flrs

Rosmarinus officinalis Mrs Jessups Upright
Comparatively tough and, with a little encouragement, columnar, which makes it easier to pick from without bending, thus a very convenient Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis Mrs McConnells Blue
Intense dark Blue semi prostrate, virtually indistinguishable from that sold as "Corsican" so buy both and see if you can spot the difference!

Rosmarinus officinalis Primley Blue
Variously said to smell of camphor and tom cat and thus rather horrible to eat, we continue to stock it because customers continue to ask for it

Rosmarinus officinalis Prostrate, Provencal strain
More robust than above, darker blue flrs but lacking biblical associations

Rosmarinus officinalis Prostrate, True Gethsemane strain
The most prostrate of all brought back from Jerusalem by Mrs Titterington, a pale flowered rarity which needs dry conditions. Did the Apostles kneel on its ancestors to pray? who knows? They may well have done

Rosmarinus officinalis Rosaceus
Hardy pink flowered variety (unlike Majorcan pink) with unusually bright green leaves. A true delight

Rosmarinus officinalis Severn Sea
We are assured this is the true variety created by Mason over looking the Bristol channel. Not terribly special but here because people ask for it

Rosmarinus officinalis var alba white Rosemary
One of the toughest Rosemarys with virginal white flrs

Rosmarinus officinalis var Sissinghurst
Fairly vigorous medium sized bush with blue flowers and graceful habit, a favourite general purpose Rosemary for eating and decoration