Plant of the Month (January 1988)

by Kerry Krumrine, co-owner of J & K Growers, Inc. and member of the Mesilla Valley Landscape Association

Rosemary, or Rosmarinus officinalis

The Plant of the Month for January is Rosemary, or Rosmarinus officinalis. This plant was chosen by the Mesilla Valley Landscape Association for the month of January because of its exceptional show of color this time of year. Although most gardening books state that Rosemary blooms in the Spring and Summer, there are Rosemary plants in bloom all around Las Cruces right now.This evergreen native to the Mediterranean, is exceptionally well suited to our southwest desert climate. There are several varieties of Rosemary, of upright or prostrate habit. The upright varieties grow to about four to five feet tall and three to four feet wide, and can be pruned into hedges. The prostrate variety (Rosemarinus officianalis prostratus), also known as Dwarf Rosemary, makes a beautiful ground cover, and looks attractive hanging over retaining walls. The ground cover form will spread from four to eight feet wide, and about one to two feet tall. Although most varieties of Rosemary have lavender blue blooms, there are several varieties available that have pink, dark blue, purple, or white blooms. Rosemarinus officianilis lockwoodii has lighter green foliage with bluer flowers.

The dark green pine like needles are highly aromatic, and the culinary varieties are excellent in meat and seafood dishes. It is nice to plant rosemary next to walkways, where by brushing past the plant, the aromatic smell will be released. Use upright Rosemary as a border to divide different herbs in your herb garden. Keep it trimmed as a low hedge, and use clippings for cooking. Upright Rosemary is excellent for use as topiary. Planted in a pot or in the ground, keep the lower branches clipped to the trunk, permitting branches at the top to grow. Clip the top branches into to a shape of a ball. A potted plant of Rosemary will do all right indoors as long as it gets plenty of light and fresh air

Rosemary prefers low water conditions, and can actually be harmed by overwatering. Rosemary does best in full sun and will demand very similar conditions of low water and little attention as our regionss nnative plants. Plant Rosemary as a companion plant to native plants. The prostrate variety planted under Texas Sage, Mexican Sage, Apache Plume or Lambs Ear, makes for an eye pleasing contrast in the landscape.

Mesilla Valley Landscape Association include: Mountain Gardens Landscaping, High Mesa Composters, The Greenhouse Nursery, The Green Thumb Nursery, Mesilla Valley Landscaping, J & K Growers, Inc., & Mallscapes. All businesses in the "green industry" are welcome. For more information please contact Kerry at 521-4698.