Trailing Rosemary
The Many Uses Of Trailing Rosemary
Trailing rosemary is one of the most hardy ground covers in arid regions. It grows easily, even in shallow or poor soil and it can tolerate cold climates as well as a blazing hot sun. Native to woodland and rocky sites of Spain, Portugal and the Mediterranean region, trailing rosemary has quite a long and colorful history. It has been spoke of throughout history and even found preserved in ancient tombs.
The plant is drought-resistant and barely requires any water after it has become established. You will know that your plants are too dry if they begin to turn yellow. Traditionally, once every other week is all the watering that you need to offer through the growing season and then once a month in the winter if you live somewhere with hot climates.
As its name suggests, trailing rosemary grows close to the ground however, there are some varieties that will stand upright and form a shrub. They will usually not grow beyond two feet tall but can spread out to a width of five feet.
Cultivation
Replanting every fall is hardly work when you are enveloped by the plant's generous aroma. Rosemary is bold yet graceful and can stand alone or be used as a perennial border. They also look phenomenal in window boxes or hanging baskets. The flowers are pale blue or white and attract plenty of honeybees with their delicious nectar.
Many people lose their trailing rosemary in the winter because of heavy soil and an abundance of watering. If you have your plants in pots, consider bringing then indoors for the winter. Anytime you transplant them, provide them with loose soil that is mixed with vermiculite, sand and perlite.
You can grow rosemary by seed however, germination rate is only about 30 percent with this method. Always purchase your plants from a nursery that you trust. After your plant is established you can take cuttings to increase your supply or you can propagate by layering.
Uses For Trailing Rosemary
- Rosemary essential oil can be added to soaps, lotions, creams and perfumes.
- This is a wonderful stimulating herb that can be added to your bath. When you feel worn out, rosemary will increase the circulation of your blood and energize your body.
- Adding a bit to some boiling water can provide you with a fabulous facial steam remedy to unclog your pores.
- Blend it in with potpourri.
- Weave it into garlands and wreaths.
- Scent your dresser drawers with rosemary sachets.
- Dry needles can be put into sachets to deter moths which is more effective and safer than mothballs.
- Add some rosemary to coals right before you begin grilling.
- Put stems into a wood stove to enhance the smell in your home.
- Rosemary can be nicely combined with lemongrass, tansy, lavender and santolina.
- Tea made with rosemary can be used to treat the flu, colds, indigestion, rheumatic pain, fatigue and headaches.
- Rosemary is an antidepressant as well as a tonic for your heart and nervous system and it stimulates your circulation.
- Rosemary is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium.
- It can be uses as a mouthwash due to its antiseptic properties.
- Used externally as a salve it can soothe sore muscles.
- Rosemary can be put in a hair rinse to treat dandruff and it is safe on dark hair.
- It can be added to fruit salads if you want to make the dish sweetener but not add sugar.
- Rosemary adds character to marinades, dressings and soups.
- It goes quite well with spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, peas, lentils and squash.
- Rosemary is very complementary to parsley, bay leaves, chives, thyme and chervil.