Provided it is pruned regularly, rosemary is a bushy, quite tall subshrub. In principle, the heat-loving plant should be cultivated in pots if possible, but under certain conditions it can also be planted out in the garden.
Select hardy varieties
Unfortunately, not every variety of rosemary is suitable for planting out in the garden, as most are only winter-hardy, but not hardy. In very cold regions, hardy varieties such as Veitshöchheim, Arp, Blue Winter or Hill Hardy should therefore be used. Some of the newer breeds are also less sensitive to cold temperatures than the traditional varieties. Nevertheless, every rosemary needs appropriate protection in winter, for example by covering it with brushwood, leaves or protective film. However, high humidity can quickly kill the rosemary, which is why sufficient air circulation must be ensured even with a cover.
Plant rosemary in the garden
Once the right variety has been selected - you can also breed it yourself - the rosemary can be planted out. But there is also an important limitation here: Young plants are still very sensitive and therefore only belong in the bed from the second or third year.
The optimal location
Rosemary needs a sheltered location with as much sun as possible. A south-facing spot near a warm house wall is ideal. The soil should be well drained and as loose and lean as possible - as a typical plant of Mediterranean maquis, rosemary does not tolerate heavy, loamy and acidic soil. The pH is ideally in the neutral to alkaline range. If the soil is not very suitable, you can also dig a larger pit and fill it with a specially mixed substrate. A mixture of normal garden soil and sand, which can also be enriched with a little lime, has proven to be suitable.
Caring for planted rosemary
Basically, rosemary growing in the garden does not need much care. Only the freshly planted rosemary should be watered a little to make it easier for them to root. If necessary, fertilize in the spring with a little lime and organic fertilizer such as horn meal. Only when the rosemary has been in the same place for several years could more regular fertilization become necessary. Rosemary can also be transplanted, for example because it has grown too big or no longer feels comfortable in its location.
tips and tricks
Mulching, for example with bark mulch or leaves, is counterproductive for the rosemary, as such a measure stores too much water and the plant is too damp. Instead, however, you can place the rosemary in a rock or gravel garden.
IJA