Rosemary needles are an aromatic condiment. Since it cannot withstand lower freezing temperatures, it is overwintered indoors in our latitudes. Older plants shine with their blossoms in spring.
origin
The culinary herb comes from the Mediterranean region and grows wild there as an evergreen subshrub that can reach heights of up to 2 m. In its homeland, the rosemary bush blooms all year round. The blue flowers are very popular with insects and are often flown to.
Care as a culinary herb
In Germany, rosemary is not hardy, except
in very mild regions or with certain varieties. It is often grown as a container plant and overwinters indoors. However, this also affects the flowering time.When it blooms with us
After winter, the container plant is put outside again. Since rosemary is not that sensitive to the cold, it can sometimes be outdoors as early as March. Then, or already in late winter, the plant is cut back. This way it grows bushier and branches better.
Shortly after clearing out, sometimes as early as March, the flowers form. They sit around the shoots in the leaf axils. More flowers will be formed by May. Few varieties do not bloom until September.
Note: If the herb is cut back vigorously after flowering, it can bloom a second time in summer.
The flower of rosemary
The culinary herb is a mint family. The colors vary depending on the variety:
- blue
- blue-violet
- Light Blue
- pink
- White
The taste and aroma of the plant do not change. There is no need to prevent flowering or trim off flowering branches. On the contrary, the flowers are also edible and enrich the kitchen with their decorative appearance. They are used in salads or on
Bakery products. The flowers lose their aroma when they are cooked, so they are only used raw. The needles, on the other hand, give their taste to the food while they cook with it.If the bloom stops
Possibly the plant was cut back too much or it was too warm in the winter quarters. The plant needs a winter temperature drop in order to flower. Temperatures around 10 degrees are completely sufficient for rosemary in winter, it can even withstand lower temperatures down to minus 8 degrees. It must not stand too wet under any circumstances, this affects the frost hardiness. The supply of nutrients is of less importance for the flowering; as a weak eater, the herb hardly needs any additional nutrients.
Note: An unheated greenhouse where there is not too much frost is well suited for rosemary plants.
