Rosemary Arp is an evergreen flowering shrub with intensely fragrant foliage, and is reportedly one of the most cold hardy. The leaves can be used for culinary flavoring, toiletries and sachets. Pretty, tiny, blue flowers are produced in late Winter through early Spring (South) and sporadically at other times. Attractive, grey-green, needle-like leaves can be used in cooking applications such as stews, breads, herbal butters, vinegars, meats, fish and vegetables. Well-drained soils and full sun to mostly sun.

Height: 3' to 5' Landscape Usages: Landscape Beds, Foundation, Outdoor Living Areas, Containers / Planters, Shrub Border, Entryway, Focal Point Specimen, Small Groups, Accent, Topiary Sun Exposure: Full Sun, Mostly Sun Resistant To: Deer Resistant, Disease, Drought, Heat, Insect Soil Needs: Ammended Clay, Average, Well-Drained, Dry, Potting Mix Water Needs: Low Theme Gardens: Cottage, Herb, Japanese, Perennial, Rock USDA Zones: 7, 8, 9, 10

Spread: 3' to 4' Attracts: Visual Attention Characteristics: Fragrance, Foliage, Flower Fragrances: Fragrant Foliage, Aromatic, Potpourri Growth Rate: Moderate Colors: Blue Foliage Color: Green Seasons of Bloom: Early Spring Blooms, Winter Blooms, Spring Blooms Type: Shrub, Herb, Evergreen Culinary Usages: Beef / Lamb, Seafood, Pork, Poultry, Soups / Stews, Oil / Vinegars

Athen's Blue Spires Rosemary Feeding Instructions

Though most herbs don't require much fertilizer, at some point they will need it. Herbs produce the most oils when they are given a steady feeding of a slow acting fertilizer such as fish emulsion, bone meal, cottonseed meal and blood meal. Add it to the soil at time of planting or potting. These natural fertilizers break down slowly and provide herbs with nutrition but at a slow pace, thus providing healthy growth and helping produce the flavors we look for. You'll be eating the culinary herbs, so it's wise to use organic fertilizers.

Athen's Blue Spires Rosemary Pruning Instructions

Wait to begin pruning deciduous flowering shrubs until they are three years old. Then prune right after all the blooms have faded in Spring. To prune, simply cut the plant back by 1/3 of it's height. You will also want to remove any dead branches that have no new growth emerging, and broken or criss-crossing branches that spoil the shrubs appearance. Older shrubs may benefit from thinning out the number of branches growing from the base of the shrub.

Athen's Blue Spires Rosemary Pest Instructions

This plant typically encounters very few pest or disease problems. If a pest or disease problem is identified, treat with an insecticide product, preferably one containing "Neem oil". Neem oil is a safe, triple-action product that can be used to control insects, mites and diseases. If your plant appears seriously stressed or diseased, consult with your local nurseryman, arborist, professional landscaper or local extension agent.