Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an evergreen perennial herb, generally developed because of its use in Mediterranean cooking. Sun-loving and drought-tolerant, rosemary crops have fragrant green-grey foliage, but in addition open mainly blue flowers San Diego from springtime or winter. One cultivar, “Blue Spires,” with especially showy lavender-blue blossoms, has moved from a supporting part in the herb garden San Diego into a starring part in the flower border.

Origins

“Athens Blue Spires” is a patented rosemary cultivar selected in the University of Georgia Horticultural Division test gardens as one of Allen M. The Georgia of Armitage Gems. Armitage applied for the sole survivor of seedlings developed from a packet of seeds for a plant Chico patent in 1998. Since its introduction, both vendors and growers usually shorten the title to “Blue Spires.”

Characteristics

“Athens Blue Spires'” distinctions contain its cold hardiness, lavender-blue flower colour, branching upright growth pattern, shorter and narrower foliage and vigorous, disease-tolerant development, according to Armitage’s patent program. Both cool and heat-tolerant, this cultivar grows nicely in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant Flagstaff zones 6 through 11, and Sun Set Zones 4 through 2-4. As is the situation for other crops with Mediterranean origins, cultivars that are rosemary will endure wind-swept, sea- areas however you like.

Uses

As well as using personal crops in herb gardens or several specimens in casual sunny, dry perennial borders, consider utilizing “Blue Spires” as a low hedge — to 3-foot-tall — or for topiaries or espalier. Like rosemary cultivars that are other, these crops are ideal for containers, including use in bonsai. Unlike other cultivars, nevertheless, for their vigor equally in pots as well as in the ground Redding, they will offer almost-instant gratification. Reduce new development in the event that you use your rosemary for cooking and prune to prevent disfiguring the crops.

Care

Despite “Athens Blue Spires” exceptional tolerance of cool, damp, heat, drought and illness, give your crops excellent drainage and prevent excessive irrigation and fertilization. Although suggestion-pruning to improve branching is generally un-necessary because of “Blue Spires'” self-branching habit, do prune to remove old-growth and to keep your plants in-bounds.

Problems

The University of California’s Integrated Pest Management Plan notes that as well as crown and root rot crops are susceptible to powdery mildew. Growing “Blue Spires” in a sunny, well-drained area should aid you a void these issues. Where mildew is a problem in the event that you garden Flagstaff, nevertheless, include fungicides to your own prevention program. Insects to observe out for contain spittle bugs, aphids and white flies. Hosing the crops down is useful in controlling infestations of some of those pests that are rosemary. Prevent pesticides and poisonous fungicides in the event you program to use your rosemary as an herb.

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