Is Rosemary a good hedge for a kitchen garden?
But plant a rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) hedge and you can harvest your landscaping for the kitchen -- it's exceptional with lamb, beef and chicken but good with vegetables, too. Rosemary tops out at about 6 feet tall depending on the cultivar, making it better suited as a low border than a privacy hedge. Rosemary is rabbit- and deer-tolerant.
How tall does a rosemary hedge grow?
Upright growing varieties of rosemary make excellent hedges. Most of them will grow up to 4 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. The tallest and one of the most dramatic rosemary varieties is ‘Tuscan Blue’ may grow over 7 feet tall.
How do you plant a rosemary hedge with compost?
With a garden fork or tiller, thoroughly blend the compost with the soil along the length of the site of the intended hedge working it 3 to 4 inches deep in the soil. Space individual rosemary plants 3 feet apart to create a dense hedge. To make sure the hedge will look even, make sure the distance between the center of each hole is even.
Is Rosemary a good specimen plant?
Many a garden has Rosemary growing somewhere. Often it is neglected (not that it needs much maintenance) and only keeps its place thanks to its affinity to lamb. Yet with a little care and an occasional trim, Rosemary can become an attractive flowering specimen plant; a neat traditional hedge or even an elaborate topiary.
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How far apart should you plant rosemary to make a hedge?
For a dense hedge that can be pruned quite low, space the rosemary plants about 12″ apart. For a moderately-sized hedge, a spacing more like 2 feet apart will keep costs down and allow for larger plants. Larger varieties can be planted up to 3 feet apart for a full-sized free-form hedge.
How fast does a rosemary hedge grow?
Quick Reference Growing GuidePlant Type:Evergreen subshrubTolerance:Time to Maturity:6-12 monthsSoil Drainage:Spacing:24-36 inchesCompanion Planting:Planting Depth:As deep as root ballFamily:Height:4-6 feetGenus:6 more rows•Jan 6, 2020
What should not be planted near rosemary?
Rosemary and mint should be kept far away from each other. Mint can be an overpowering herb and take over a lot of space in your garden. With rosemary growing up to four feet tall, putting these herbs together may result in them competing for space.
How do you shape a rosemary hedge?
If you are looking to reduce the size, you can prune back the overall plant by one-third at a time. Then wait two to three months and you can prune back by one-third again. If you are doing rosemary pruning simply to create a busier plant, you can remove the end one to two inches (2.5 to 5 cm.) of the branches.
Does rosemary grow back every year?
Rosemary is a perennial herb, so it will continue growing year after year in containers. This can result in pot bound plants. A pot bound rosemary plant will produce less and less new growth and get quite woody.
How long do rosemary bushes live?
Rosemary is a perennial who can last up to 30 years with little care. Therefor, together with its cooking values as a herb, I consider this shrub a must for every herb garden. Rosemary is usually grown outdoors in the garden but it is also an interesting plant for the balcony, terrace and even indoors.
Where is the best place to plant rosemary?
full sunPlant in full sun for the best results. The planting site should have well-draining soil; rosemary won't tolerate being consistently wet. Ideally, the soil should be relatively fertile (mix in compost prior to planting to increase nutrient levels), slightly acidic in pH (6.0 to 7.0), and have a loamy consistency.
What grows well next to rosemary?
When considering rosemary companion planting, the best companion plant is broccoli as both plants benefit from being planted together. Planting rosemary nearby will also help your beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots and hot peppers to flourish.
How big does rosemary get?
Rosemary typically grows as a woody perennial or small shrub and is known scientifically as Rosmarinus officinalis. It can reach up to 6 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide when planted in the ground but will remain smaller if pruned or planted in containers.
What herbs make good hedges?
Lots of herbs will work great as hedge borders in your garden or around your beds. Lavender, rosemary, hyssop, thyme, oregano, lemon balm, basil, and chives are some of my personal favorites for this purpose. These are all easy to grow even when planted in close groupings. They can be kept compact with regular pruning.
Does rosemary grow back after cutting?
You can do light pruning and harvesting any time of year, but a rosemary plant responds best to hard pruning in winter when it isn't actively growing. When pruned in winter, the plant grows back in spring looking better than ever.
How do I make my rosemary bushy?
“To create a bushier rosemary plant,” says Fedele, “simply cut off one to two inches of the branches along the outside of the plant. This will force the branch to split and it will fill out the plant.”
How fast does creeping rosemary grow?
Roots should begin to form after about two to three weeks, at which time you can transplant into pots to continue to grow. After three months, the rosemary is big enough to transplant outdoors in a full sun exposure, four to six hours per day.
How high can a rosemary hedge grow?
Upright growing varieties of rosemary make excellent hedges. Most of them will grow up to 4 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.
How can I speed up rosemary growth?
The key to ensuring good growth for your rosemary is to replicate the growing conditions of its native environment. Plant rosemary in well draining, sandy soils, in full sun and only water once every two weeks. Pruning regularly in Spring and Summer will stimulate new growth of rosemary leaves and stems.
How fast does rosemary grow after cutting?
4 to 8 weeksThe fresh water provides dissolved oxygen and prevents the cuttings from rotting. The rosemary stem cuttings should grow roots in a few weeks depending on the temperature. It can take longer in colder temperatures. After 4 to 8 weeks it should be apparent if the rosemary cuttings have survived.
Planting a Rosemary Hedge
Choose a location that receives at least six hours of sunlight a day – the sunnier the better. Wait until the chance of frost has gone before planting. The soil also needs to be extremely well-draining
Trimming a Rosemary Hedge
For a neat hedge, Rosemary should be clipped after flowering and again around August. Any loose, extraneous stems can be cut at any time.
Feeding a Rosemary Hedge
Like any other shrub under a clipping regime, Rosemary needs nutrients. Apply a general fertiliser in spring and a high potash fertiliser in autumn – but don’t overfeed. The plants will become straggly.
Which Variety?
Most cultivars of Common Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) make excellent hedges of 60cm-120cm. Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Miss Jessopp’s Upright’ is particularly suitable – and attractive.
Rosemary Topiary
Yes – the picture at the top really is Rosemary! They’re in the gardens of the 17th century Château de Marqueyssac at Vézac, in the Dordogne.
Selecting the Best Hedge Plants
All varieties of rosemary perform as evergreen perennials in areas with mild winters, making them a perfect year-round hedging plant. The woody shrub grows anywhere from 2 to 8 feet tall and up to 5 feet wide depending on the cultivar.
Considerations for a Rosemary Hedge
You can plant your rosemary plants outdoors during the growing season when the threat of frost has left your region. For the best performance, select a location receiving full sun that has well-drained soil, according to Arizona State University. Rosemary doesn’t perform well in heavy soils that have a tendency to remain soggy.
Planting Your Rosemary Hedge
Once you’ve chosen and prepped the desired area, placing your pots where you want to plant them, now comes the fun of planting your rosemary hedge and turning it into a reality. Dig your hole slightly deeper and wider than the container and then remove the rosemary from its pot. Check the roots for wrapping and gently tease them apart if needed.
The Rosemary Hedge Today
Many a garden has Rosemary growing somewhere. Often it is neglected (not that it needs much maintenance) and only keeps its place thanks to its affinity to lamb. Yet with a little care and an occasional trim, Rosemary can become an attractive flowering specimen plant; a neat traditional hedge or even an elaborate topiary.
Rosemary Varieties
The RHS’s Plant Finder lists fewer than 100 varieties of Rosemary of which only six cultivars hold an AGM. So, for every Rosemary variety there are around five different Lavenders from which to choose. Incidentally, one of those Rosemary AGMs is the deservedly popular Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Miss Jessopp’s Upright’.
The Rosemary Hedge
As our picture shows, Rosemary is not only as good an edging plant as Lavender, it has the edge when it comes to creating a full-blown, neatly trimmed garden hedge. If you fancy what must be the most fragrant low-medium height hedge, then look no further. And look no further than Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Miss Jessopp’s Upright’.
The RHS Rosemary Trials
The RHS has just announced (March 2016) the start of a three-year Rosemary Trial with the trial plants due to arrive at Wisley this August. This should help raise Rosemary’s profile and encourage gardeners to view it as a decorative and practical hedging plant as well as an indispensable culinary herb.
Selecting the Right Variety
Rosemary cultivars range from low-growing with a creeping habit, to 5-foot-tall shrubs. Taller varieties make the best hedges. "Tuscan Blue" (Rosmarinus officinalis "Tuscan Blue") grows up to 6 feet tall, which makes it a good choice for a large hedge. This cultivar, which grows in U.S.
Deciding When to Plant
In mild climates, late fall, winter and early spring are the most favorable planting seasons. The cool and rainy weather helps relieve stress and transplant shock. If it freezes in winter in your area, plant in fall or wait until spring.
Selecting and Preparing the Site
Rosemary must have good drainage, as it thrives in sandy and rocky soils and full sun. This Mediterranean native needs a minimum of six hours of sun per day and will take more if you've got it. In periodically wet areas with poor drainage or heavy clay soil, rosemary will grow poorly. In hot climates, rosemary tolerates afternoon shade.
Spacing and Planting
Space individual rosemary plants 3 feet apart to create a dense hedge. To make sure the hedge will look even, make sure the distance between the center of each hole is even. Use a string or other guide to make sure the plants will be in a straight line. Dig the planting holes so that they measure the same depth as the nursery pots are tall.
Watering the Hedge
Water is critical during the first season after planting while rosemary gets established. Water every five to seven days in dry weather. If the weather is damp, water when the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil starts to feel dry. To water, use a soaker setting or a soaker hose, supplying enough water to dampen the soil 5 to 6 inches deep.
Culture and Care
Drought-tolerant Mediterranean native rosemary (Rosmarinus) thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10, especially where conditions echo its indigenous environment. The name Rosmarinus means “dew of the sea,” and rosemary thrives especially well near the sea, luxuriating in salt spray and ocean breezes.
Low-Growing Rosemary
Prostrate rosemary spreads or trails with needle-textured stems up to 8 feet long. Plant “Prostratus” along the tops of walls for a draping evergreen curtain. Pale, lavender-blue flowers cover the plants intermittently during cool weather. Blue-flowering “Huntington Carpet” creates a dense ground or bank cover, mounding to under 2 feet high.
Upright Rosemary
Upright rosemary varieties range in size from under 2 feet high to up to 6 or 7 feet tall. British horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll, author of “Wood and Garden” (1899), recalled rosemary plants as high as 10 feet tall growing against Italian monastery walls. Jekyll recommended growing pink roses among rosemary plants.
Herb and Garden Insectary Accents
Rosemary's edible leaves and flowers make it an indispensable addition to culinary gardens. Create a low, clipped rosemary border to anchor an herb or vegetable bed. The 5-foot-tall, tight-growing “Blue Spires” creates a superb hedge. Formal herb gardens include rosemary topiary accents in the ground or in decorative pots or urns.
Rosemary as a border...Good or bad?
I just purchased small rosemaries from a local nursery and wondered if it would be fine if i plant them as a border? Right now they are about 4inches in height and very sturdy so I thought of bordering my garden with them especially since they'll help repel unwanted insects.
Comments (12)
Zone 6 is borderline at best for rosemary surviving the winter cold. If you want to try it, make sure to get the hardiest rosemary varieties like "Arp."
From Classic to Unique
David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. He was in the nursery business for over a decade, working with a large variety of plants. David has been interviewed by numerous newspapers and national U.S. magazines, such as Woman's World and American Way.
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)
Japanese holly looks more like a boxwood shrub than holly shrub, bearing small, oval leaves. Many cultivars of this broadleaf evergreen are available. For hedge plants, most people select those that reach 3 to 4 feet in height with a similar spread.
English Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
English holly, with its prickly leaves, makes a better hedge plant than Japanese holly if you wish to combine security with aesthetic considerations. This is one type of holly that grows big enough to serve as a privacy screen (the 'Ferox Argentea' cultivar is 15 feet tall by 8 to 10 feet wide).
Barberry Bushes (Berberis thunbergii)
Sharp thorns line the barberry's branches, making it a traditional choice for security hedges. Its bright red berries persist through the cold-weather months to provide visual interest in winter. The thorns are present year-round. Until recently, barberry had fallen out of favor in North America due to its invasive nature.
Boxwood Shrubs (Buxus)
Boxwoods are the quintessential hedge plants. These broadleaf evergreens were adored by aristocratic Europeans for centuries as defining elements in formal garden design. North Americans living in deer country have found a new reason to love boxwood hedges: they are deer-resistant shrubs. 4
Mountain Laurels (Kalmia latifolia)
The mountain laurel is another broadleaf evergreen suitable for hedges. One of its best features is that it blooms in late spring to early summer. However, do not try to trim laurels as you would boxwoods. Laurels look best when they are allowed to grow into their natural mature shape. The pink-flowering types are the most popular.
Yew Bushes (Taxus)
Among needle-bearing evergreens, yew bushes are perhaps the most classic hedge plants. They are popular partly because they tolerate shade. While some yews grow tall enough to serve as privacy screens, yews are slow growers.
