Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus'

Prostrate rosemary is a ground cover or trailing, perennial shrub with beautiful blue flowers and attractive evergreen foliage.

It requires very little maintenance and attracts pollinating insects beneficial to the garden. When grown in pots or beds, hanging or raised, the stems form a cascade of attractive grey-green foliage. Also suitable for very poor soil and salt tolerant.
Plant associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite and the Virgin Mary.

Classification
Common name: Prostrate rosemary, Creeping Rosemary, trailing rosemary.
Genus and species: Rosmarinus officinalis
Cultivar: 'Prostratus'
Family: Lamiaceae.

Characteristics
Description of flowers: Supported in small groups in the leaf axils.
Flower color: Blue.
Flowering period: Autumn and early winter.
Leaves: Evergreen and narrow, they are 2-4 cm long and 2-3 mm wide, green above and white below and with dense down.
Fragrance: The leaves smell of pine balsam, with pungent and spicy notes.
Dimensions: Height around 50 cm, width up to 1.5 m.

Cultivation
Exposure: Full sun, light shade.
Soil: Well drained and sandy.
Irrigation: None, once established.
Frost resistance: USDA 7.

Care
Pruning: Loses some branches in very intense frosts; therefore at the beginning of spring, the dry parts can be cut. To keep it thicker and more branched, half the vegetation can be pruned not too far back into the old wood.
Propagation: From cuttings in midsummer.

Notes of interest
Use in the kitchen: Leaves and flowers can flavor many dishes to taste. Pizza, fish, meat, cheese, excellent in fillings and for flavoring vegetables (especially legumes)... A herbal tea can be made with the leaves. When burned, the leaves give off a smell similar to smoked wood and also to mustard: therefore excellent for flavoring grilled foods.
Herbal properties: Contains iron, calcium, vitamin B6 and omega3; tonic, astringent, purifying and stimulating.
Awards: Plant RHS Award Garden Merit (AGM).