'Tender perennial. 4' tall x 4' wide. Native to the Mediterranean. Aromatic 1" needle-like leaves on upright woody branches. Small violet flowers along stems from spring to summer. Full sun and well drained soil. Nice plant as hedge in mild climates, or keep trimmed as topiary in pot for indoors.'Ah, what a dreary world it would have been without Rosemary! And so I digress, here, from the herbs that have important ethnobotanic use in the Americas. But do I digress? Rosemary is a European cultivar that came to this continent and was soon adopted by most of the tribes as if it had been theirs forever. In ancient Greece, it was dedicated to the goddess, Aphrodite, and in Rome to Venus. Bavarians still make bridal crowns out of Rosemary and strew it on the graves of loved ones. It seems that Rosemary speaks volumes about love and remembrance. Rosemary protects against evil influences and makes an excellent incense for cleansing and refreshing. And don't get me started on its efficacy as an herb for the kitchen: we'd be here all day!
The cultivation of Rosemary can be highly rewarding to some. Propagation can be done from seed or late summer cuttings. I would recommend cuttings because growing from seed is more difficult. As with all other herbs, fresh and properly picked is the best. Butchered and abused rosemary that has languished in a can or bottle in warehouses and grocery stores cannot begin to compare to a fresh sprig, lovingly harvested and prepared. (Of course, you would want to dry it carefully for use as an incense.)
~Webel Fetzer
|
|
Home |