Rosemary is an aromatic, versatile herb that most home cooks are familiar with. Its piney, woodsy flavor pairs wonderfully with chicken, fish, lamb, and many other foods. But did you know that rosemary plants also produce showy flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white?
Though primarily grown for culinary use, rosemary makes a lovely addition to ornamental gardens and landscaping as well. When the plants bloom, you’ll be treated to a display of colorful blossoms and heady fragrance.
In this article we’ll take a closer look at rosemary flowers including
- What colors they come in
- When and how long they bloom
- How to encourage rosemary to flower
- Whether you can use rosemary flowers
Rosemary Flower Colors
Rosemary is part of the mint family, Lamiaceae, which contains many aromatic herbs like thyme, oregano, basil, and lavender. Plants in this family are known for their square stems and two-lipped flowers.
The most common rosemary flower colors are:
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Blue – This is the classic rosemary blossom color, a light sky blue. It’s the most prevalent in wild rosemary plants.
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Purple – From light lavender to deep violet, purple rosemary flowers offer a regal accent to the garden.
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Pink – Softer pink rosemary blossoms provide a feminine touch
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White – Albino rosemary plants produce flowers in bright white. Much less common than the other colors.
There are over 30 named cultivars to choose from if you’re interested in growing rosemary for its flowers. ‘Majorca Pink’ and ‘Miss Jessopp’s Upright’ have deep pink blooms, while ‘Benenden Blue’ lives up to its name with true blue blossoms.
‘Albus’, ‘Athens Blue Spire’, and ‘Santa Barbara’ are a few white-flowering types. For purple, look for ‘Dark Purple’, ‘Hill Hardy’, or ‘Severn Sea’. Local nurseries and garden centers are great places to find rosemary varieties best suited to your climate.
When Does Rosemary Bloom?
Flowering time for rosemary depends mainly on your climate and the variety you’re growing. In general, here’s when you can expect rosemary to be in bloom:
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Spring – In most temperate climates, rosemary flowers open in spring. Blossoms begin emerging in March or April and last into early summer.
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Summer – Some varieties, like ‘Majorca Pink’, wait until the summer heat to produce their flowers, beginning around June.
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Fall/winter – A few rosemary plants flower very late in the year, even into December or January if winters are mild.
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Year-round – In frost-free environments like USDA zones 9-11, rosemary may bloom sporadically throughout the year when growing conditions are ideal.
Peak flowering typically lasts 4-6 weeks, though rosemary will continue producing some blossoms over a longer period. Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms.
How to Get Rosemary to Flower
Most rosemary plants flower freely once mature under the right conditions. Here are some tips for abundant blossoms:
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Sunlight – Rosemary needs full sun (at least 6 hours per day) to thrive. Insufficient light can delay flowering.
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Age – Young plants may take a year or two to become established before flowering. Be patient!
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Pruning – Regular trimming encourages bushy growth that leads to more flower buds. Avoid heavy pruning in fall.
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Fertilizer – Apply a balanced organic fertilizer or compost 1-2 times per year. Don’t over-fertilize.
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Water – Maintain even soil moisture, allowing it to dry slightly between waterings. Too much or too little water can inhibit blooms.
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Air circulation – Good airflow around plants prevents fungal diseases that can reduce flowering. Avoid overcrowding.
Follow these tips, and your rosemary is sure to reward you with an abundance of blossoms!
Can You Use Rosemary Flowers?
Once rosemary begins flowering, you may be wondering what to do with the colorful blooms. The good news is that rosemary flowers are completely edible!
The blossoms have a milder flavor compared to the leaves. They make beautiful, tasty additions to:
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Salads – Scatter a few small rosemary flowers as a garnish on green or grain salads.
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Herb butters and oils – Use a few fresh blossoms when making flavored butters, oils, and vinegars.
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Desserts – Crystallize the flowers or use them as cake decorations. They pair nicely with fruits andcustards.
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Beverages – Add a sprig of rosemary flowers to lemonade, iced tea, cocktails, and more.
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Cooking – Include some flowers when using rosemary as a seasoning for meats, vegetables, breads, etc.
The options are endless when it comes to using edible rosemary blossoms to enhance both the flavor and appearance of food and drinks. Just be sure to gently rinse them first.
In addition to culinary uses, rosemary flowers can be dried for everlasting arrangements, potpourri, sachets, and crafts. Their strong fragrance will continue filling the air long after the fresh blooms have faded.
If you love cooking with rosemary, consider adding a rosemary plant or two to your garden. Not only will you have fresh rosemary at your fingertips, you’ll also be rewarded with months of delicate purple, pink, blue, or white blooms. A flowering rosemary plant is truly a feast for the eyes and nose, as well as the palate.
Follow the care tips above to successfully grow rosemary in your location. With ample sunlight, moderate watering, and proper pruning, the flowers are sure to follow. Then you can take your pick of blossoms to use fresh or dried.
So explore the diverse colors and uses of rosemary’s flowers. And next time you enjoy rosemary’s piney aroma and flavor, you’ll have an even greater appreciation for this beautiful, versatile herb.
Edible Flowers: Rosemary Flowers Benefits
FAQ
Which rosemary has purple flowers?
Should you let rosemary flower?
What color flowers does rosemary have?
Does Rosemary grow after flowering?
Rosemary is a woody perennial; therefore, it continues to put on new growth after it flowers. Once the plant finishes flowering, it will produce seeds that you can collect and use to propagate additional plants. Does flowering change the taste of the leaves?
What color are Rosemary flowers?
The flowers of this species are borne on upright spikes and are purple-blue in color. This lovely species of rosemary has more of a sprawling habit and is ideal for planting in containers where it can sprawl over the sides. It has small violet-blue flowers that will cover the entire plant.
Is Rosemary a good herb?
Rosemary is a lovely herb to add to your vegetable patch or herb garden. It’s even attractive enough to plant among your ornamental shrubs and flowers if you experience relatively mild winters. Most people grow rosemary for their cooking, but the plant also produces dainty flowers that are absolutely loved by bees and other pollinators.
Why do Rosemary plants flower?
Rosemary plants flower to complete their reproductive cycle. Flowering is the process that ends with the production of seeds, which, from an evolutionary perspective, is the plant’s best way to ensure the survival of the species.