Rosemary Seeds

Rosemary used to be difficult to germinate, and gardeners would have to plant many, many extra seeds to be assured of success. That has all changed with the advent of multiseed pellets, which bring you 5 fresh rosemary seeds in every pellet. Now, with this exciting SimplyHerbs variety, you can expect sprouts from every planting—and once rosemary sprouts, it's off and running, ready to harvest in under two months.

Use these multiseed pellets in containers or the garden. Although rosemary is perennial in warm climates, it is easily grown as an annual everywhere, because it matures quickly and provides such beauty as well as edible foliage for fresh and dried use as an herb. It is even useful for shaping into a little holiday tree—and it will perfume any room deliciously.

Quickly reaching 12 to 24 inches high and wide, rosemary has a naturally well branched, dense form and very slender, sage green, needle-like leaves. The stems are quite woody, and older plants (where it is perennial) resemble miniature shrubs.

The foliage is best harvested for cooking purposes before the plant blooms, but you will probably want to grow a few extra rosemary plants just for the blue summer flowers. A true edible ornamental, rosemary belongs on every patio, deck, and porch where full sunshine can nourish it. And it's quite water-saving, asking only for an occasional drenching once it reaches full size in summer.

Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart in the bed or border for dense coverage, and if you are growing rosemary where it is perennial, shear it back in late winter to encourage even more branching and a symmetrical, pleasing shape. It needs excellent soil drainage and regular watering during spring growth the first year, and afterwards is quite heat- and drought tolerant. Such a delight.

Perennial in zones 7-10; grown as an annual everywhere. It is ornamental as well as useful.