Description
Pink Flowering Rosemary
Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
‘Pink flowering’ Rosemary is a small to medium shrub reaching up to 80cm high and 70 cm wide. It has a semi-prostrate or weeping habit with small, needle like and sticky, resinous leaves. It looks very ornamental if left to grow upright and then pruned to allow select branches to weep. Left alone it will adopt an attractive sprawling structure, which can be maintained or tidied by pruning if desired. The flowers are a pale to mid pink and bloom over spring and summer.
This variety has the botanical name of Rosmarinus officinalis var roseus. Some other varieties may also be called ‘pink flowering’ based on the colour alone. It may be important to check the description of any pink flowering rosemary to ensure that it has the growth form you are seeking.
‘Pink Flowering’ Rosemary prefers full sun and is tolerant of drought, coastal conditions and frost. The leaves are fragrant and suitable for culinary use.
Rosemary General
Rosemary is an evergreen, woody shrub native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. It belongs to the Lamiaceae or mint family, with the botanical name Rosmarinus officinalis. This name is from the Latin words ‘ros’ meaning dew and ‘marinus’ from the word for sea. Together they refer to the ‘dew of the sea’, because these plants grow in near coastal areas. There are many varieties, distinguished by being upright or prostrate, ranging in size from low ground covers to large shrubs reaching 1.5-2 meters high. The leaves are small and often needle like, ranging from green to grey-green with a pine like aroma produced by the essential oils in the foliage. The small flowers are bee attractants and range from pale pink, purple, white, and include a range of distinctive blues. They usually bloom from early spring to summer, sometimes with a new flush in autumn.
Rosemary is a hardy plant that needs little attention once established. Soil should be well drained and slightly alkaline, the aspect should have full sun or partial shade and plants require occasional watering. Rosemary is tolerant of dry periods, coastal conditions, poor soil, hot and windy aspects and even has moderate frost tolerance. Humid conditions, wet soil or excessive frost will cause problems for the roots and foliage. Plants may be pruned to shape, with larger varieties being suitable for hedging. Propagation from cuttings is easy for most home gardeners.
Most people know rosemary as a culinary herb, especially in Italian cuisine. However, this herb also has a history of medicinal use, including being reputed to improve memory. Of course, many gardeners grow Rosemary ornamentally or just for the lovely fragrance it imparts to the garden.
For more information on history, growth conditions, culinary and medicinal use please see our Common Rosemary listing and other varieties such as Tuscan Blue
