Rosemary Fota Blue

A compact rosemary discovered at Fota Gardens in Co Cork, Rosmarinus officinalis Fota Blue is a small, evergreen shrub with an arching, prostrate habit, ideal for a small garden where common rosemary would take up too much room. Needle-like, aromatic, deep green leaves are just as useful for cooking, and beautifully set off the violet-blue flowers, with their distinctive white throats, in spring. Like most deep blue rosemaries, Fota Blue is less hardy than common rosemary, and is best in milder gardens; like all rosemaries, it hates having wet feet, and must have sharp drainage. Nipping off the tips for culinary use will keep the plant compact and bushy.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any light, very well drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: All year, spring in particular
Hardiness: Frost-hardy
Height: 1’4” (40cm) Spread: 2’ (60cm)