Species creeping rosemary
blue flowers with dark-green leaves and green-brown stems

creeping rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus (Prostratus Group)

Creeping rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus (Prostratus Group)) is an evergreen, woody-stemmed shrub native to the Mediterranean. Seldom growing higher than 6 inches, and has aromatic silvery foliage. It produces clusters of delicate, pale pink blooms in early summer. Powerfully scented foliage, when crushed between the fingers, it gives off a strong aroma of pine and rosemary. Drought tolerant, requires little maintenance and makes an attractive, low maintenance groundcover for rock or herb gardens. It grows best in soil that is well-drained, preferably in a sunny to partially shaded spot.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Stem Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

8 - 10

Flowers:

Lavender-blue Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Low

watering

Creeping rosemary should be watered when the top 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) of the soil is dry. Depending on the season and the amount of sunlight, this could mean watering every 2-3 days. It is important to note that even though rosemary is drought tolerant, it should never be left completely dry for any longer than a week, as it will become stressed and die. When watering, it is best to give the plant a good soaking and then allow the topsoil to dry before watering again.

sunlight

Creeping rosemary is a sun-loving plant and grows best in full sun. To get the best flowering and color, this species needs a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. For optimal growth, this plant should get early morning sun (preferably before 10am) and then afternoon sun (after 2pm). This will encourage the plant to stay open and flowering for a longer period each day. Early morning sun will also help the leaves stay bright and blue rather than taking on a deep purple hue in the heat of the day. Avoid placing too much shade over this plant, as it will reduce flowering and cause the leaves to become lanky.

pruning

Creeping rosemary should be pruned twice per year. In early spring, prune it back by 1/3 to 1/2 of its height to encourage bushy growth with more flowers. In midsummer, trim any leggy growth to keep the plant looking neat and tidy. Additionally, if needed, you can shear the plant down by 1/2 at the same time. After pruning, apply a balanced fertilizer to encourage healthy new growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Creeping rosemary typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Creeping rosemary typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map