Ceratiola ericoides (Florida Rosemary)

Ceratiola ericoides (Florida Rosemary) is a dense, rounded, evergreen shrub with many erect branches clothed with aromatic whorls of 4-6 thick, needle-like leaves, about 1/2 in (1 cm) long. The foliage releases a rosemary fragrance when crushed. In early spring to early summer, clusters of small, papery, yellow to brown flowers appear in the leaf axils. Sporadic blooms may occur throughout the rest of the year with rain. The flowers are followed by tiny, round, fleshy yellow-green fruits on female plants in the winter. The fruits are an important food source for wildlife but are not produced on mature plants (at least 12 years old). Native to the southeastern coastal states of the United States, Florida Rosemary occurs naturally in extremely dry sandhills and sand ridges. It is primarily used in naturalized areas of sand dunes and habitat restoration. Florida Rosemary provides cover and nesting habitat for various types of birds, including the northern cardinal, yellow-rumped warbler, gray catbird, common yellow throat, mourning dove, and the federally threatened Florida scrub jay.

• Grows up to 4-8 ft tall and wide (120-240 cm).
• Easily grown in sandy, well-drained soils in full sun. Highly drought tolerant, it does not require any supplemental water once established. It does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water nor salt wind.
• Good for coastal gardens, and naturalized areas.
• Virtually disease and pest free.
• Propagate by seed or by stem cuttings.
• Native to the coastal plain from South Carolina to Florida and as far west as Mississippi.