Rosemary
An evergreen herb that doubles as an ornamental and a low hedge.
- Scientific name: Salvia rosmarinus
- Family: Mint family
Rosemary is one of the best things to plant in a Saudi garden because it does three jobs in one plant: kitchen herb, evergreen ornamental, and a low hedge that takes clipping. It is also among the least thirsty and least demanding herbs available.
At a glance
- Plant typeHerbaceous shrub
- WateringWeekly
- LightFull sun
- Comfortable range15 – 38 °C
- Height60 cm – 1.8 m
- Spread60 cm – 1.2 m
- FloweringLate spring through autumn
- HarvestYear-round
Care guide
Watering
Water weekly with good drainage. It tolerates long dry spells, and over-watering is far more dangerous to it than a missed watering.
Light and heat
Full sun, comfortable up to 38 °C. One of the few herbs that gets through a Saudi summer without protection.
Soil and feeding
Light, free-draining soil. A balanced feed twice a year — spring and midsummer — is enough. It needs no intensive feeding, and over-feeding weakens the aroma.
Pruning
Prune in late spring after flowering, taking about a third of the new growth to encourage density. Regular picking for the kitchen effectively does the pruning for you.
Propagation
Cuttings in spring and summer with steady moisture. Easy, and gives you a plant identical to the parent.
In Saudi conditions
It works well as a low evergreen edging along garden paths or bed margins, and handles reflected heat off paving and walls better than most herbs.
Common problems
- Root rot from over-watering
- Powdery mildew in humid, poorly ventilated spots
- Bare woody bases with age if never pruned
- Spider mite in very hot, very dry conditions
Need a hand?
Designing herb gardens and edging paths with evergreen shrubs are part of our landscaping services.
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