Tuscan Blue Rosemary is a beautiful herb with fragrant leaves and tiny blue flowers that appear on tall stems from May to Mid-summer.
Rosemary is a wonderful plant to grow that offers a delightful fragrance and versatility in the kitchen. It is also quite hardy and enjoys full sunlight and well-drained soil. However, it has a temperature limit; it can withstand cold only down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 degrees Celsius). If you live in a cooler climate, you might want to consider growing rosemary in a container while in warmer climates. It can flourish as a shrub in outdoor gardens and often blooms beautifully in winter. One variety known for its lively blooms is Tuscan Blue. Read on to discover more about growing Tuscan Blue rosemary and how to care for these plants.
USDA Zones: 8-11
Tuscan Blue Rosemary
Rosemary is popular for its delicate blooms, which come in a variety of colors, from pink to blue to white, depending on the type. Tuscan Blue rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Tuscan Blue’), as its name suggests, produces rich blue to violet flowers. These plants typically bloom from winter through spring, with a chance of a smaller flowering in summer or fall.
How To Grow Tuscan Blue Rosemary Plants
The care part of this herb is quite simple. Unlike many other rosemary varieties, these plants tend to grow upright, reaching heights of up to 3-4 feet and widths of about 2-3 feet. To keep your plant more compact, you can prune it back heavily and remove up to half of its growth in the spring after it has finished blooming. Tuscan Blue rosemary is somewhat hardier than other varieties. It can tolerate temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-9 degrees Celsius), which is USDA Zone 8. Grow this herb in a location with full sunlight for at least 6 hours.
It favors dry conditions over wet; the watering rule is to water the plant when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
When it comes to feeding the plant, apply a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content during spring and once again in mid-summer. For potted plants, use balanced fertilizer every other week.
If you live in a colder climate, you can try to help your Tuscan Blue rosemary survive the winter by applying a thick layer of mulch in the fall and planting it in a location that is sheltered from wind while still receiving full sun. To ensure your rosemary makes it through the winter, it’s best to grow it in a container and bring it indoors during the colder months.
Growing in Pots: Grow this herb in 6-8 inches pots. If growing outdoors, it needs full sun exposure. While indoors, keep the container near a window with bright light.