Usually available: All year

Life cycle: Perennial
Height: 80cm
Position: Full sun
Soil preference: Well drained

This is how we pack and send your Herb Plants to all states except TAS & WA

You will receive
- 1 White Flowering Rosemary Herb Plant in a 50 X 75mm tube - General growing instructions

All of our Herb Plants are grown organically with certified organic potting mixes and fertilizers

Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis alba

Rosemary ‘White Flowering’ is an evergreen perennial growing to 80 cm high and 80cm wide. The highly aromatic foliage is characterized by short dark green, needle shaped leaves. Although this rosemary is an upright variety, the structure is open and rounded, rather than having the rigid form exhibited by some rosemary’s. The branches have a trailing and somewhat arching habit, so when the white flowers appear it is as if the shrub has been touched by recently fallen snow. The delicate flowers bloom from early spring to early summer and may continue through to autumn.

This variety is also known as Rosmarinus officinalis var albiflorus and may often be called ‘Alba’, ‘Albiflorus’ or ‘Sissinghurst White’. White flowers are uncommon for the Rosmarinus genus and in some regions this is considered a rare plant. Folklore suggests that all rosemary was once white flowered. However, when the Virgin Mary was escaping from Herod’s troops, she stopped and draped her cloak over a rosemary bush turning the flowers blue.

This is a good culinary variety of rosemary and can be used in many dishes.

Rosemary General

Rosemary is an evergreen, woody shrub native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. It belongs to the Lamiaceae or mint family, with the botanical name Rosmarinus officinalis. This name is from the Latin words ‘ros’ meaning dew and ‘marinus’ from the word for sea. Together they refer to the ‘dew of the sea’, because these plants grow in near coastal areas. There are many varieties, distinguished by being upright or prostrate, ranging in size from low ground covers to large shrubs reaching 1.5-2 meters high. The leaves are small and often needle like, ranging from green to grey-green with a pine like aroma produced by the essential oils in the foliage. The small flowers are bee attractants and range from pale pink, purple, white, and include a range of distinctive blues. They usually bloom from early spring to summer, sometimes with a new flush in autumn.

Rosemary is a hardy plant that needs little attention once established. Soil should be well drained and slightly alkaline, the aspect should have full sun or partial shade and plants require occasional watering. Rosemary is tolerant of dry periods, coastal conditions, poor soil, hot and windy aspects and even has moderate frost tolerance. Humid conditions, wet soil or excessive frost will cause problems for the roots and foliage. Plants may be pruned to shape, with larger varieties being suitable for hedging. Propagation from cuttings is easy for most home gardeners.

Most people know rosemary as a culinary herb, especially in Italian cuisine. However, this herb also has a history of medicinal use, including being reputed to improve memory. Of course, many gardeners grow Rosemary ornamentally or just for the lovely fragrance it imparts to the garden.

For more information on history, growth conditions, culinary and medicinal use please see our Common Rosemary listing and other varieties such as Tuscan Blue

All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Please seek professional advice before commencing any treatment.