Rosemary has been viewed as a symbol of “remembering” throughout the years of its existence. The play “Ophelia” written by William Shakespeare best illustrates this. Lady Ophelia gave Hamlet a branch of rosemary to make sure that he remembers her undying love. In our generation, rosemary is still popular among lovers everywhere. The “romantic” side of the herb is just one of its features. It is also normally prepared as additional flavoring for pork or lamb recipes. It is best used when combined with little lemon juice and parsley, then added on the chicken before it is heated in the oven. The result of this concoction is a flavorful baked chicken.

Rosemary is an evergreen and half-hardy perennial shrub. It is best known for its aromatic leaves. The maximum height of this herb is six feet, and it has grey or green leaves that blooms with small flowers. The flowers’ colors range from white and light blue. Although it is considered a perennial plant, it grows in locations with very low temperature annually.

This plant can withstand lower than the freezing temperature. Locations that are not ideal for plant growth are the places where it can enhance its fragrance. Soil with organic matter is the perfect ground for its development. In this ideal location, it can create very attractive plants, although this would mean that lesser aromatic oil would be produced due to the good soil condition. Thus, fertilization of rosemary is not advised. An exception to this is when the herb is grown to be a perennial shrub and this has to be nourished well to survive the winter climate.

In order to plant the seed of the herbs, you have to start germinating the seed indoors. After two weeks from the last frost during winter, they could be planted in a sunny spot in the garden with a foot or more distance in between each plant. An 8 to 24-inch measurement is then set from one row to another.

Stem cuttings from the mother tree are also usable in planting rosemary. The stem can be planted during the winter season, nourishing it from inside the house during those cold months. New rosemary plants, unlike other herbs, should not be nurtured with fertilizers. Keeping the soil moist by continuously watering it is already sufficient. Pests will not be an issue for those taking care of this herb, and it has good garden growth.

Rosemary’s short pine-like leaves enhance the tastes of any cuisine. From the moment you harvest it from your garden, you can already use it. Securing the leaves in a tightly sealed container will prolong its life. You just have to cut the leaves when it is in season. After doing so, make sure they dry thoroughly before encasing them for storage.

The unique scent of rosemary comes out stronger than the fragrance of other herbs. This aroma is the reason why the herb is a usual part of scented oils and other aromatic delights. Likewise, its importance for culinary recipes must also be taken note of. With all things said, it can be concluded that rosemary is truly an important part of the garden.