Rosmarinus officinalis Prostratus Group

Rosmarinus Officinalis Prostratus Group (Rosemary Prostratus Group) is a lovely, fragrant low-growing groundcover which can fill a number of landscaping needs in your garden, and be of use in your kitchen as well!   

Rosemary is of course familiar as a garden herb of great antiquity, and Rosmarinus officinalis Prostratus Group is a low-growing cultivar which spreads into a mat of extremely fragrant, evergreen leaves which will last all winter in milder regions. From April to June it produces clusters of sky-blue flowers, adding visual interest, and providing a nectar source for bees and butterflies.

Rosemary Prostratus Group is hardy throughout most of the UK, but does need some protection in colder regions. If the plant is damaged in the winter it should grow back from the roots once the growing season begins. Over a period of 5 to 10 years each plant will grow to cover an area of 1-1.5 metres, while growing to a height of 10-50 cm. It will only require pruning if it is necessary to prevent it from spreading out of bounds, and of course snipping tender stems to use the leaves in cooking is always recommended!

Native to the Mediterranean, Rosmarinus officinalis Prostratus Group is a drought-tolerant perennial that welcomes full sun. It thrives in sandy soil but will also tolerate moist but well-drained loam and chalk soils, and any soil ph. It will overwinter best if it is in a sheltered location, with a south or west-facing aspect.

Rosemary Prostratus Group will be able to adapt to a number of planting locations in your garden plan. It is a natural for rock gardens, with its fragrant mat of leaves and flowers providing evergreen coverage. In a mixed border one plant will fill in a bare spot with no need for maintenance for many years. It can be used as a mass planting in a dry, sandy spot where other groundcovers may struggle.

Rosmarinus officinalis Prostratus Group will happily spill down the side of a retaining wall or a raised planter, or fill the often dry space between a walkway and a wall with its fragrant growth, while at the same time not needing any watering once it is established, providing the ideal low-maintenance beauty. It is also very suitable for sea-side gardens and coastal planting as it tolerates sandy conditions and salt.

Rosmary Prostratus Group is often used in hanging planters and for growing on wire topiary shapes.

It is, of course, a true rosemary, and therefore prized as a culinary herb, being used to flavour lamb, poultry, pork and beef.