Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Benenden Blue’ (Rosemary)
Benenden Blue Rosemary, Rosemary 'Benenden Blue', Salvia rosmarinus 'Benenden Blue', Rosmarinus officinalis 'Collingwood Ingram', Rosmarinus officinalis var. angustissimus 'Benenden Blue', Salvia rosmarinus 'Collingwood Ingram'
Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Benenden Blue’ (Rosemary) is a bushy, evergreen shrub bearing aromatic, needle-like, dark green leaves. Profuse clusters of bright blue, two-lipped flowers appear in late spring and early summer, sometimes also in fall. Easy to maintain and undemanding, Benenden Blue Rosemary is a great candidate for hedges, herb gardens, and waterwise gardens. The leaves are good for cooking and can be used fresh or dried to flavor dishes.
- Grows up to 2-3 ft tall and wide (60-90 cm).
- Easily grown in poor, well-drained soils in full sun. Drought tolerant once established.
- Great for beds and borders, Mediterranean gardens, cottage gardens, coastal gardens, city gardens, rock gardens, patio containers, or as a formal or informal hedge.
- No serious pest or disease issues.
- Attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, however, deer dislike rosemary’s strong scent.
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings.
- Rosemary needs little pruning. Prune lightly removing unsightly shoots as required. If desired, prune plants after bloom to promote dense foliage growth.
- Rosmarinus officinalis is native to the Mediterranean region, from where it has been introduced into all continents.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
8 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
8 - 12 |
| Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
| Plant Type | Herbs, Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Rosmarinus |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spacing |
24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Recommended Companion Plants
Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
8 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
8 - 12 |
| Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
| Plant Type | Herbs, Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Rosmarinus |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spacing |
24" - 36" (60cm - 90cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
