Conradina canescens (Wild Rosemary)

Conradina canescens (Wild Rosemary) is an evergreen sprawling shrub with many spreading or erect stems clothed with aromatic, gray-green, needle-like leaves, about 1 in (2.5 cm) long. The foliage releases a mint fragrance when crushed. Blooming year-round, showy, 2-lipped, lavender to white or purplish flowers, up to 1 in. long (2.5 cm), appear in the leaf axils. Attractive to bees and many pollinator species, the flowers are followed by tiny, dry nutlets. Native to the coastal areas of Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi, Wild Rosemary occurs naturally in sand pine scrub and sandhills. Robust, it is an excellent groundcover for sunny, sandy soils. Its profuse flowering over a long season, coupled with its aromatic flowers and foliage make it a good choice for the mix herb and wildflower garden.

• Grows up to 2-5 ft tall (60-150 cm) and 2-4 ft. wide (60-120 cm).
• Easily grown in dry, sandy, mostly neutral, well-drained soils in full sun. Highly drought tolerant, it does not require any supplemental water once established. Moderately tolerant of salty wind and salt spray. It does not tolerate flooding by salty or brackish water.
• Good as a groundcover, wildflower gardens.
• Virtually disease and pest free.
• Propagate by seed or by stem cuttings.
• Native to the southeastern United States, where it is restricted to coastal areas of Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi.