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Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary

Family LamiaceaeGenus Salvia

Pale blue-lilac two-lipped flowers with curving stamens, crowded along woody stems set with narrow dark needle-like leaves.
FlowerMiguel Angel Masegosa MartínezCC BY 2.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Herb, Perennial, ShrubExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
shrubPlants of the World Online
Height
4-5 ft1.2-1.5 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
3-4 ft0.9-1.2 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Blue, Purple/Lavender, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is. and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
8-10Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sunExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Ros marinus is Latin for sea-dew. Elizabeth Kent wrote in 1823 that rosemary thrives best by the sea. Wikipedia: Rosemary

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

  1. Sow outdoors and leave it

    Up in late April and early May.

No stated waiting before sowing.

34% germination.

This source doesn't state how long step 1 lasts.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Rosmarinus p. 207Public domain
Show the original text
Rosmarinus (Lamiaceae). R. officinalis germ. 21% in 1-5 w in either 70L or 70D, 40(25% in 3-12 w), and 34% in late April and early May in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Rosmarinus p. 207. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

Germination happens during step 1, in 84 days.

25% germination in 21–84 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Rosmarinus p. 207Public domain
Show the original text
Rosmarinus (Lamiaceae). R. officinalis germ. 21% in 1-5 w in either 70L or 70D, 40(25% in 3-12 w), and 34% in late April and early May in outdoor treatment.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Rosmarinus p. 207. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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