Rosemary: Under the Tuscan Sun

Tuscan Blue Rosemary

BOTANICAL NAME
Rosmarinus Officinalis

PLANT TYPE

Herb

SUN EXPOSURE

Full Sun; cannot grow in shade

SOIL TYPE

Well-drained Loamy or Sandy soil

SOIL pH

6.6 to 8.5

FUN FACTS            

           

Rosemary is a perennial evergreen scrub. In botany, a perennial means that it lives for more than two years; an evergreen, always green, is a plant that has leaves throughout the year; and a scrub is a plant smaller than a tree, between 6.5 to 20 feet, with woody stems. For rosemary, it is a low growing plant that could grow up to 2-7 feet high by 2-5 feet wide at a medium growth rate [1]. A variety of rosemary plant calle Tuscan blue rosemary could grow up to 7 feet tall by 2 feet wide.

Culinary Uses

The edible parts of rosemary are young shoots, leaves and flowers. It is used in small quantities, either fresh or dried, as a condiment and tea. It is a popular herb used in Mediterranean cuisines. Rosemary is used raw or cooked, finely chopped or in springs, its leaves have a bitter taste and resinous flavor which pairs well with fatty food. It is popularly used in chicken dishes, like in soups and stews with vegetable or roasted and grilled. It is also great stuffing for barbecued fatty fish and common ingredient for dressings used on roasted lamb. Rosemary helps in digestion and stimulates appetite, hence making it a versatile culinary herb.

Medicinal Uses

Rosemary is commonly grown in the herb garden as a domestic remedy. The whole plant is antiseptic, astringent, and anti-inflammatory, as it is rich in volatile oils, flavanoids and phenolic acids (protects from oxidative damage). It is also antispasmodic, highly aromatic, cardiac, carminative (relieves flatulence), cholagogue (promote bile flow from the gall bladder into the duodenum/stomach-assist in digestion), stomachic (assist in digestion and promotes appetite), diaphoretic (induces perspiration), emmenagogue (stimulate menstrual flow), nervine (calms the nerves and allergies), stimulant, rubefacient (increase blood flow-topical application) and tonic. The German Commission E Monographs approved Rosemary as an herbal medicine [2] from its distilled water from flowers, to essential oil distilled from stems and leaves, and from the flowering tops. The distilled water from the flowers is used an eyewash, should not be prescribed for pregnant women since excess it can cause abortion [3,4]. Rosemary is often used in aromatherapy to combat fatigue and nervousness. Its tea is a soothing drink that promotes sleep.

NTS: This blog initially declined to present any medicinal uses of the plants as most are unfounded claim. For safety reason, felt compelled to provide the general proven and unfounded effects with the hopes that reasonable precaution would be taken when utilizing the plants. Moreover, this blog cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plant. Always seek advice from a professional before using for medicinally purpose.

Other Uses

Rosemary essential oil is used in perfumery and soaps for medicinal purpose and other. A rosemary infusion of dried plant (both leaves and flowers) and essential oil are used in shampoos and hair conditioners to treat dandruff and to prevent premature baldness, so they say, maybe dandruff-causing baldness. NTS: 200 kilos of flowering stems could produce one kilo of essential oil.

The leaves are burnt as an incense and fumigant to repel insects. Branches and/or sachet of the leaves are often placed in clothes dresser and cabinets to keep moths away.

In the garden, the growing plant is a good insect repellant. And trimmings could be used as a ground cover, three for one, repels pests, prevents weed growth and conserves soil moisture. Moreover, it may repel certain insects-pests but it is a good bee plant and some varieties attract butterflies. Another garden benefit is-it can be grown as a hedge and used as a border and/or a protective barrier for smaller delicate plant as it is resistant to maritime exposure.  

Polymorphic species that is commonly grown in the ornamental and herb gardens, there are many named varieties. The Tuscan Blue variety has been favored by cooks and chefs [5], while the Corsican Blue is more aromatic, has been commonly used for domestic medicinal remedies, and ornamentation. Traditionally, the plant is a symbol of friendship and loyalty. And a wreath of it would be worn by brides to denote love and fidelity. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet is presented with rosemary when she dies.

PLANTING

Preparation

A cold frame or greenhouse if in seasonal zones, or a shady corner in tropical zones

Containers

Broken pottery or the likes for drainage

Potting soil mix  

Propagation

By Seed

When to plant:

Preferably in the spring; or for head start, plant indoors 8 to 10 weeeks before the last spring frost

Seed Depth:

Depth not indicated; Sow or plant seed by scattering it on or in the soil

Seed Spacing:

Not indicated           

Row Spacing:

Not indicated           

Days to Sprout:

Germination can be slow

When to transplant:

In the late spring or early summer; when they are large enough to handle and grow

Plant Spacing:

Transplant seedling 2-4 feet apart; or in individual pots

By Cutting

Part to cut:

Half-ripe wood cuttings

When to cut:

In July and August

Length of cutting:

4-7 inches with a heel

Days to root growth:

21 days

CARE AND CULTIVATION

Care Level:

EASY

Watering:

Water the plant evenly throughout the growing season,; or just enough to keep the soil moist, but too much watering could cause root rot.

Growing Notes:

Protect rosemary for the first winter by growing them indoors, under bright light and cool temperatures. Then, transplant outside during late spring. By the next winter protect the plant with heavy mulching in the fall.

Avoid moving the plant after it has been planted in the ground.

Needs full sun and cannot grow in the shade. The plant is tolerant to drought.

Regular trimming or pruning is best carried out after it has flowered; it should be pruned after first bloom to stimulate growth. It is very tolerant to pruning, as it can regenerate from old wood. Tuscan blue can be pruned heavily up to half.

Resistant to maritime exposure but weakens when combined with cold weather. In the case of Tuscan blue rosemary, plant it in a sheltered spot from the wind but receive full sun.

Flower Blooming: 

From March to October, more in June to July; Blossoms range from shades of pink to blue color to white.

Tuscan blue rosemary plants blooms from winter to spring, come back again in summer or autumn. As true to its name, this plant produces deep blue to violet blossoms.

The flowers are hermaphrodite meaning have both male and female organs.

Seed Ripens:

From August to October

Companion plants:

Best with: cabbages, beans, carrots and sage; as it wards off insects and pests such as cabbage moths, bean beetles and carrot flies.

Worst with: potatoes

Pests and Diseases:

Aerial blight

Bacterial leaf spots

Several types of root rot

HARVEST

Days to Harvest [?]:

Anytime; favorably in the morning when the aroma are the strongest

Quantity to Harvest:

In general, harvest up to a third of the rosemary at any one time, allowing the plant to regenerate and replace its growth before taking more.

Rosemary is the most commonly used and the most aromatic culinary herb. And I have chosen to feature the Tuscan Blue [5] variety as it is recommended by Chef John of Food Wishes, whose enthusiasm is the inspiration to properly research and collate information about this plant. Then, simplify it for fast and easy reference in the future. Realizing the culinary usage has medicinal benefits, put me on a frantic mode trying to remember and write down my original chicken recipe, lemon-rosemary steamed chicken, with the hopes to share it with you as the next featured food recipe. It all comes in full circle, thank you Chef John [6].

If you like this article please let me know, comment below, and do not forget to follow. Please feel free to post comments, questions, suggestions and reactions if it is lacking or something. I would like to know what you think. Thank you

As always enjoy gardening! ...then harvesting, cooking and eating!

References

1. Phillips, R., & Foy, N. (1990). Herbs. London, UK: Pan Macmillan.

2. Blumenthal, M., Klein, S., Riggins, C., & Rister, R. (Eds.).  (1998). The Complete German Commission E Monographs, Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines, 1st ed. USA: American Botanical Council.   

3. Chiej, R. (1984). Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. London, UK: MacDonald & Co Ltd.

4. Bown, D. (1995). Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. London, UK: Dorling Kindersley.

5. Baessler, L. ( n.d.). Growing Tuscan Blue Rosemary: How To Care For Tuscan Blue Rosemary Plants. [Blog File]. Retrieved from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/rosemary/growing-tuscan-blue-rosemary.htm

6. Food Wishes. (2015, June 1). How to Plant a Culinary Herb Garden! DIY Kitchen Garden. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbYbI-uGEyg