About Rosemary
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) is a fragrant evergreen herb and ornamental shrub valued for its needle-like foliage, strong aroma, culinary use, drought tolerance, and attractive blue to lavender flowers.
Its upright to spreading growth habit makes Rosemary useful in herb gardens, raised beds, borders, Mediterranean-inspired landscapes, containers, and low-water landscape designs.
Outdoor Warehouse Supply stocks 1-gallon Rosemary in higher volumes during the spring planting season, when demand is typically strongest. Availability may continue throughout other times of the year depending on inventory and customer demand, so customers are encouraged to contact our Plano or Lewisville sales staff for current availability.
| Plant Details | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Salvia rosmarinus |
| Former Botanical Name | Rosmarinus officinalis |
| Common Name | Rosemary |
| Plant Type | Evergreen culinary herb / woody perennial shrub |
| Stocked Size | 1 Gallon |
| Availability | Higher-volume stocking during spring; availability may continue throughout the year |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | Generally Zones 8–10, depending on cultivar and site |
| Typical Mature Height | Approximately 2–5 feet depending on cultivar |
| Typical Mature Spread | Approximately 2–4 feet depending on cultivar |
| Spacing | Typically 2–3 feet apart for many upright forms |
| Growth Habit | Upright, rounded, or spreading depending on cultivar |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun |
| Water Requirements | Low to moderate once established |
| Soil Preference | Well-drained soil; does not tolerate persistently wet conditions |
| Foliage | Narrow, aromatic, evergreen leaves |
| Flowers | Blue to lavender; sometimes pale blue or white depending on cultivar |
| Common Uses | Culinary gardens, herb beds, containers, borders, pollinator gardens, and xeriscape-style landscapes |
Rosemary varies by cultivar. Mature dimensions, cold tolerance, growth habit, and flower color may differ between individual selections.
Common Names Associated with Rosemary
Rosemary is commonly known simply as Rosemary, although older references may list it under the botanical name Rosmarinus officinalis.
Its currently accepted botanical name is Salvia rosmarinus.
Customers may encounter both botanical names in plant tags, gardening references, recipes, and older nursery literature.
Growth Habit & Mature Size
Rosemary is a woody perennial herb that can develop into a substantial shrub under favorable conditions.
Many upright selections reach approximately 2–5 feet tall and 2–4 feet wide, although prostrate and dwarf cultivars can remain considerably shorter.
Growth habit may range from upright and bushy to spreading or trailing.
Because cultivar has a major effect on mature form, customers selecting Rosemary for a specific landscape space should consider the variety available at the time of purchase.
Plant Spacing & Common Planting Patterns
For many upright Rosemary selections, spacing plants approximately 2–3 feet apart provides room for mature growth.
Closer spacing can create a denser border or hedge-like appearance, while wider spacing allows individual plants to develop more naturally.
Rosemary works particularly well in:
- Herb gardens
- Raised beds
- Kitchen gardens
- Landscape borders
- Containers
- Pollinator gardens
- Mediterranean-style landscapes
- Xeriscape-inspired designs
- Areas near patios where fragrance can be enjoyed
Good air circulation is beneficial, especially in heavily irrigated or humid planting areas.
Sun, Soil & Water Requirements
Rosemary performs best in full sun.
It prefers well-drained soil and is particularly sensitive to prolonged wet conditions around the root system.
Once established, Rosemary is relatively drought tolerant and often performs better with less frequent, deeper watering than with constantly saturated soil.
In North Texas, heavy clay soils may require improved drainage, raised planting areas, or careful site selection to reduce the risk of root problems.
Container-grown Rosemary should also be planted in a well-draining potting mix with containers that allow excess water to escape.
Is Rosemary Evergreen or Deciduous?
Rosemary is generally considered an evergreen woody perennial where winter temperatures remain within its tolerance range.
In North Texas, winter performance can vary.
Established plants in protected locations may remain evergreen through mild winters, while severe freezes can cause significant foliage damage or complete plant loss, particularly with less cold-hardy cultivars.
For that reason, Rosemary should not always be treated as a guaranteed permanent evergreen shrub in every Dallas–Fort Worth landscape.
Growth Rate & Life Expectancy
Rosemary typically has a moderate growth rate under favorable conditions.
Warm weather, full sunlight, and properly drained soil encourage healthy development.
As a woody perennial, Rosemary can live for many years in suitable climates.
Long-term survival in North Texas depends on cultivar, drainage, winter temperatures, summer conditions, and overall plant care.
Poor drainage is one of the most common causes of decline.
Culinary & Landscape Uses
Rosemary is useful because it functions as both an edible herb and ornamental landscape plant.
Its aromatic foliage is commonly used in cooking, including roasted vegetables, meats, breads, potatoes, and Mediterranean-style dishes.
In the landscape, its narrow evergreen foliage and woody structure provide texture even when the plant is not flowering.
This combination makes Rosemary useful in gardens designed to be both attractive and functional.
Customers planning to use nursery Rosemary for culinary purposes should avoid applying pesticides or treatments that are not labeled for edible plants.
Flowers & Pollinator Value
Rosemary produces small flowers that are commonly blue to lavender.
Depending on cultivar and growing conditions, flowering may occur seasonally and can repeat during favorable periods.
The flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects, making Rosemary a useful addition to pollinator-friendly landscapes and edible gardens.
Its combination of fragrance, flowers, evergreen foliage, and culinary value gives it broader appeal than a typical bedding plant.
Pros & Cons of Rosemary
Pros
Culinary use: Fresh foliage can be harvested for cooking.
Drought tolerance: Established plants require relatively little water compared with many ornamental shrubs.
Evergreen foliage: Rosemary can maintain year-round greenery where winter conditions are suitable.
Fragrance: The aromatic foliage adds sensory interest to gardens and patios.
Pollinator value: Flowers can attract bees and other beneficial insects.
Heat tolerance: Rosemary performs well during hot weather when planted in an appropriate location.
Versatile design: It works in herb gardens, containers, borders, raised beds, and Mediterranean-style landscapes.
Cons
Poor drainage sensitivity: Rosemary can decline quickly in persistently wet soil.
Cold sensitivity: Severe North Texas freezes may damage or kill plants depending on cultivar and exposure.
Cultivar variation: Mature size, growth habit, and cold hardiness can differ significantly.
Woody growth: Older plants can become woody and less attractive if never selectively pruned.
Not ideal for shade: Rosemary generally performs poorly in heavily shaded locations.
Rosemary in Dallas–Fort Worth Landscapes
Rosemary can perform very well in Dallas–Fort Worth when planted in full sun with excellent drainage.
It is especially useful in herb gardens, raised beds, containers, drought-conscious landscapes, and Mediterranean-inspired designs.
North Texas heat is generally not the primary challenge. The bigger concerns are poorly drained clay soils and occasional hard winter freezes.
Raised beds, amended planting areas, slopes, and containers can all help provide the drainage Rosemary prefers.
Outdoor Warehouse Supply stocks 1-gallon Rosemary in higher volumes during the spring planting season, with availability sometimes continuing throughout other parts of the year depending on inventory and customer demand.
Customers are encouraged to contact our Plano or Lewisville locations for current availability.
Industry Contractor & Wholesale Pricing
Outdoor Warehouse Supply offers industry contractor and wholesale pricing for qualifying landscape professionals, builders, property managers, and commercial customers.
Contractors can source Rosemary alongside annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, soils, mulch, decorative stone, and other landscape materials for residential and commercial projects throughout Dallas–Fort Worth.
Contact our Plano or Lewisville locations for current availability and contractor pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Rosemary does Outdoor Warehouse Supply carry?
Outdoor Warehouse Supply carries Rosemary in 1-gallon containers.
Is Rosemary available year-round?
Outdoor Warehouse Supply stocks its highest volumes of Rosemary during the spring planting season, when demand is typically strongest.
However, Rosemary may remain available or be restocked at other times of the year depending on inventory and customer demand.
Customers are encouraged to contact our Plano or Lewisville sales staff for current availability.
Is Rosemary evergreen in North Texas?
Rosemary is naturally evergreen, but winter performance in North Texas depends on cultivar, location, and winter severity.
Mild winters may allow plants to remain evergreen, while severe freezes can cause significant damage.
Does Rosemary need full sun?
Yes. Rosemary performs best in full sun.
Too much shade can result in weaker growth, reduced flowering, and lower overall plant quality.
How often should Rosemary be watered?
Newly planted Rosemary requires regular watering while establishing.
Once established, it prefers less frequent watering and should not remain continuously wet.
Allowing the soil to drain between waterings is important.
Can Rosemary grow in North Texas clay soil?
It can, but drainage is critical.
Heavy clay that remains wet for long periods can cause root problems.
Raised beds, amended planting areas, or other well-drained locations may improve performance.
How big does Rosemary get?
Many upright Rosemary selections grow approximately 2–5 feet tall and 2–4 feet wide.
Exact mature size depends heavily on cultivar and growing conditions.
Can Rosemary be grown in containers?
Yes.
Rosemary performs well in containers when planted in a well-draining potting mix and given full sun.
Containers must have adequate drainage holes.
Can Rosemary be used for cooking?
Yes. Rosemary is a widely used culinary herb.
Customers intending to harvest foliage for cooking should ensure that any fertilizers, pesticides, or other treatments applied to the plant are labeled for use on edible plants.
Does Rosemary attract pollinators?
Yes. Its small blue-to-lavender flowers can attract bees and other pollinating insects.
Can Rosemary survive a freeze?
Cold tolerance depends on cultivar, duration of the freeze, wind exposure, plant maturity, and planting location.
Severe North Texas freezes can damage or kill Rosemary, so winter survival should not be guaranteed.
