Written by Rhonda Ferree, retired horticulture educator
Rosemary is a wonderful herb. It not only looks and smells great but makes a great addition to many culinary dishes.
Rosemary is often found at Christmas time in wreaths and topiaries. If you follow the meaning of flowers, rosemary signifies love and remembrance, making it a great holiday gift.
Rosmarinus officinalis is a tender perennial plant that is native to the cool and moist Mediterranean region. Rosemary grows well in Central Illinois, but it will not overwinter outside. Since it doesn't transplant well, many people grow it in containers that can be moved indoors for the winter.
Once indoors treat rosemary similar to other houseplants. Since its native climate is cool and moist, we need to mimic that in our homes for the best growth. It prefers temperatures around 63–65°F and lots of light. A south or west exposure is usually best.
I find that the key to overwintering rosemary indoors is proper watering. It tends to dry out rather quickly and will drop leaves.Monitor the soil carefully to be sure it gets enough water. Let it dry some between watering since waterlogged plants will suffer.
Rosemary is not only beautiful; it is also durable in the garden. As a pollinator plants, it attracts butterflies and honey bees. It has few pest problems and even tolerates deer browsing and drought conditions. Some sources say to grow it works well as a companion plant with sage.
Rosemary means "dew of the sea" since it is watered by ocean mist in its native Mediterranean. Or, the meaning might also refer to the shimmering blue flowers that cover the rosemary bush in mid-winter there. Typically our summers are not long enough, nor our homes bright enough, for flowers to develop.
There are many uses for rosemary. It is used as a gourmet seasoning for meat, poultry dishes, and potatoes. Although I prefers fresh rosemary, it can also be used dry. Like most herbs, harvest the young tender tips and foliage. Occasionally, longer, woody stems can be harvested and used as skewers for kabobs.
For more information on rosemary and other herbs, visit the University of Illinois Extension Herb website at http://extension.illinois.edu/herbs.
MEET THE AUTHOR
As horticulture educator, Rhonda Ferree inspired citizens in local communities to grow their own food and improve their home landscapes. She focused on high quality, impactful programs that taught homeowners how to create energy-efficient landscapes using sustainable practices that increase property values and help the environment.
After 30 years with University of Illinois Extension, Rhonda retired in 2018. She continues to share her passion for horticulture related topics as “Retro Rhonda” on social media.
ABOUT THE BLOG
ILRiverHort is a blog that helps people connect to nature and grow.
FAQs
“There's Rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray you, love, remember” is the famous line spoken by Ophelia during Hamlet and rosemary has long been associated with memories of the departed. It was used historically in ancient Rome at funerals. Rosemary was often planted at tombs to be an emblem of eternity.
Why is rosemary a symbol of remembrance? ›
This plant was, in ancient times, supposed to strengthen memory. Greek scholars wore rosemary in their hair to help remember their studies, and the association with remembrance has carried through to modern times. In literature and folklore it is an emblem of remembrance.
What does it mean when someone gives you rosemary? ›
Believed to reveal a person's true love, Rosemary has been used since ancient times in proclamations of love and fidelity. In more modern-day realms, fresh sprigs of the herb are used in wedding ceremonies to represent love and ever-lasting memories.
What does rosemary symbolize in death? ›
A sprig of rosemary was often placed in the hands of the deceased at a funeral because it is a symbol of remembrance. Brides often wore rosemary at their weddings because it was also a symbol of happiness, loyalty and love.
How do you use rosemary for remembrance? ›
“Rosemary has a very old reputation for improving memory and has been used as a symbol for remembrance during weddings, war commemorations and funerals in Europe and Australia. Mourners would throw it into graves as a symbol of remembrance for the dead.”
What does rosemary symbolize in the Bible? ›
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a symbol of fidelity and remembrance once used in the holiest of Christian ceremonies, the wedding and the funeral. For centuries people thought that the rosemary plant would never grow higher than 6 feet in 33 years so as not to stand taller than Christ.
What is the traditional meaning of rosemary? ›
Rosemary was well known to ancient practitioners. It was an herb known for strengthening the memory and helping the brain. Eventually, it also became associated with the fidelity of lovers, and was presented to wedding guests as a gift.
What does rosemary mean in love spiritually? ›
Rosemary is often found at Christmas time in wreaths and topiaries. If you follow the meaning of flowers, rosemary signifies love and remembrance, making it a great holiday gift. Rosmarinus officinalis is a tender perennial plant that is native to the cool and moist Mediterranean region.
What does rosemary mean in a relationship? ›
Unearth rosemary's deep symbolism 🌿 and learn to cultivate its blooms for a touch of love and memory in your garden. 🌿 Rosemary symbolizes remembrance, love, and loyalty in various cultures.
What does rosemary mean at a funeral? ›
Rosemary was often planted at tombs to be an emblem of eternity. It was also thought to be a protector from disease and it was said to ward off plague. In Britain, in more recent times, mourners were sometimes given sprigs of rosemary to cast in the coffin to signify that they would not forget their dear friend.
With evergreen foliage and an evocative fragrance, rosemary is the herb traditionally associated with memory and remembrance. This healthy rosemary bush will arrive in a hessian wrapped pot and can be grown in honour of an important occasion or as tribute to a loved one.
What is the myth of rosemary? ›
Greek mythology legend states that when the goddess Aphrodite emerged from the sea, she was completely covered in rosemary.
What does a rosemary sprig symbolize? ›
During the Middle Ages, it was a symbol of fidelity and love. Brides would wear rosemary in their headpiece with the groom and guests also wearing a sprig. Some lucky guests might even have been presented with a rosemary branch gilded in gold.
What does a gift of rosemary mean? ›
Believed to reveal a person's true love, Rosemary has been used since ancient times in proclamations of love and fidelity. In more modern-day realms, fresh sprigs of the herb are used in wedding ceremonies to represent love and ever-lasting memories.
What does rosemary for remembrance mean? ›
It's an ancient symbol of fidelity and remembrance. So it's a fitting commemorative symbol to help us remember those who served and those who died. Rosemary grows wild on the Gallipoli peninsula in Türkiye, where many Australians served in World War I.
Is rosemary good for grief? ›
In England and Wales, sprigs of Rosemary were traditionally used in funerals and worn pinned to clothing and accessories to support the grieving process after the loss of a loved one. In some traditions, sprigs of Rosemary were placed on coffins before they were buried.
What is significant about rosemary in Romeo and Juliet? ›
Rosemary is a symbol of marriage and of remembrance of things forgotten. The nurse shares this information with Romeo to demonstrate Juliet's love for him.
Why are people wearing rosemary instead of poppies? ›
Wearing rosemary
Valued since ancient times for its believed ability to improve memory - a sprig of rosemary is worn every Anzac Day as a symbol of remembrance.
What is the historical significance of rosemary? ›
History & Folklore
The plant has been used as a symbol for remembrance during war commemorations and funerals in Europe and Australia and is planted around graves throughout much of Europe. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia says, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember."
