Q. I use rosemary which I
purchase from the store for cooking. It
is expensive and does stay fragrant very long if I don’t use it all. I would
like to plant rosemary in our yard so that I can use it in my cooking. Is there a difference between rosemary used
for “cooking” and rosemary used in landscaping?
purchase from the store for cooking. It
is expensive and does stay fragrant very long if I don’t use it all. I would
like to plant rosemary in our yard so that I can use it in my cooking. Is there a difference between rosemary used
for “cooking” and rosemary used in landscaping?
A. There are several varieties
of rosemary but most are selected for landscaping rather than cooking. Many of
the landscape varieties have horizontal or prostrate growth. However, these landscape
varieties can be used for cooking as well. But varieties selected for cooking
are usually upright and often have a higher oil content. Upright growth is
easier to harvest.
of rosemary but most are selected for landscaping rather than cooking. Many of
the landscape varieties have horizontal or prostrate growth. However, these landscape
varieties can be used for cooking as well. But varieties selected for cooking
are usually upright and often have a higher oil content. Upright growth is
easier to harvest.
 |
| Rosemary comes in both upright forms and prostrate. Upright forms are easier to harvest. |
Growing
rosemary as an herb is different from growing rosemary as a landscape plant.
Two traits are considered desirable in rosemary as an herb; upright succulent
leaf and stem growth and a high oil content.
rosemary as an herb is different from growing rosemary as a landscape plant.
Two traits are considered desirable in rosemary as an herb; upright succulent
leaf and stem growth and a high oil content.
To
grow rosemary for cooking, push new growth with nitrogen fertilizers and
harvest before flowers are produced. Seldom is rosemary left to flower when
used as an herb but the new growth is dried or used fresh. Flowers may be
attached when sold at Farmers Markets.
grow rosemary for cooking, push new growth with nitrogen fertilizers and
harvest before flowers are produced. Seldom is rosemary left to flower when
used as an herb but the new growth is dried or used fresh. Flowers may be
attached when sold at Farmers Markets.
 |
| Rosemary flowers contain the most and better oil. Commercial producers focus on leaf and stems for oil production because it is easier to produce even though the oil is not high quality. |
The
best oil comes from rosemary flowers. However, most commercial oil production
is from leaves and stems which produces more abundant oil but it is inferior to
the oil produced in the flowers. The same technique is used except high
phosphorus fertilizer is applied to improve oil production and harvesting is
done when flowers are present for higher-quality oil.
best oil comes from rosemary flowers. However, most commercial oil production
is from leaves and stems which produces more abundant oil but it is inferior to
the oil produced in the flowers. The same technique is used except high
phosphorus fertilizer is applied to improve oil production and harvesting is
done when flowers are present for higher-quality oil.
Some
of the better varieties for cooking include Benenden Blue, Flora Rosa, Tuscan
Blue, Majorca Pink, Arp, Albiflorus, Huntington Carpet, McConnell’s Blue,
Irene, Holly Hyde and Hill Hardy to name a few.
of the better varieties for cooking include Benenden Blue, Flora Rosa, Tuscan
Blue, Majorca Pink, Arp, Albiflorus, Huntington Carpet, McConnell’s Blue,
Irene, Holly Hyde and Hill Hardy to name a few.