Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
5/22/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Don't Forget Rosemary
By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator, Reiman Gardens
"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember..." Ophelia immortalized rosemary with those lines in Shakespeare's "Hamlet, so as Memorial Day approaches, it is appropriate and timely to recognize rosemary as Reiman's Pick.
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, is steeped in history, folklore and tradition. Long ago, Greeks and Romans twined it in their hair in belief that it would quicken their mind and improve their memory. Rosemary was considered the herb of fidelity and was often an ingredient in the cup passed at weddings. Rosemary was used as a "strewing herb" and scattered on the floor of homes so that its fragrance would cover up foul smells. It was also thought to have disinfectant qualities.
Legend tells us that the delicate blue flowers are in homage to the Virgin Mary. According to the story, a rosemary plant sheltered the Virgin Mary on her flight into Egypt, and when she spread her cloak over the plant, the white flowers turned blue.
The word "rosemary" is derived from the Latin word "rosmaris," meaning "dew of the sea." This description refers to its native habitat along the Mediterranean, where it is grown extensively. Rosemary oils are produced commercially along the coasts of France, Italy, and Spain.
Today, rosemary is grown for its beauty, fragrance and culinary value. It is a member of the mint family and is one of the most aromatic herbs. The distinct fragrance is a pungent blend with a hint of pine. Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub with ash-colored scaly bark and needle-like leaves. The leaves are thick and leathery with dark green upper surfaces and powdery white undersurfaces, resulting in an overall grayish green appearance. Rosemary adds textural interest to herb gardens and perennial flower borders.
Rosemary is usually planted as transplants grown from rooted cuttings.
It can be started from seed but the germination rate is low, and the growth
rate is slow.
Rosemary will not survive winters in the Midwest and so it is often grown
as an annual in the garden or in containers. It thrives in sunny, well-drained
locations. In the fall it can be brought indoors and placed near a sunny
window. A common problem gardeners have when growing rosemary indoors
is providing enough light and the right amount of water. Inadequate light
levels and overwatering cause the leaves to shrivel and dry up. The soil
should be somewhat dry between waterings.
Rosemary's woody stem and growth habit make it a perfect candidate to
become a topiary standard. It readily responds to pruning and shaping.
The strong, woody stem easily supports the growth on top.
Rosemary enhances the flavor of most types of meat, vegetables and eggs. It can be harvested any time; however, do not remove more than 20 percent of the growth at a time. To dry the leaves for later use, cut branches, secure them together with a rubber band, and hang them upside down in a shady, well-ventilated location. Strip the dry leaves from the stems and store them in an airtight jar or plastic bag.
Rosemary can be found throughout the Reiman Gardens. Beautiful rosemary topiaries can be seen in the conservatory complex, and the formal herb garden contains a beautiful planting of rosemary along with many other culinary and fragrant herbs. Don't forget to include rosemary in your herb garden this year.
To learn more about the Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University visit us on the Web at: http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/.
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Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The picture's fullsize photo is 352K. Caption: Rosemary. |
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