Upright Rosemary

The Upright Rosemary, commonly referring to cultivars of Salvia rosmarinus (formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) that exhibit an erect growth habit, is a highly cherished evergreen perennial shrub, widely celebrated for its aromatic foliage, culinary uses, and resilience. The parent species is native to the Mediterranean Basin, thriving in sunny, coastal, and rocky areas with exceptionally well-drained, often poor soils. It is perfectly adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. In the landscape of Phoenix, Arizona, Upright Rosemary is an incredibly popular and indispensable plant, performing exceptionally well in the intense heat and sun, providing year-round beauty and utility. As a long-lived perennial, an Upright Rosemary plant can easily persist for 15-30 years or more, forming a substantial and enduring presence.

Its most distinctive characteristic is its dense, woody stems that grow rigidly upright, forming a columnar or upright-mounding shrub, typically reaching 3-6 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide, depending on the cultivar. The leaves are small, needle-like, dark green on top, and silvery-gray underneath, densely packed along the stems. The foliage is intensely aromatic, releasing a strong, pungent, piney, and savory scent when brushed or crushed, making it a highly valued culinary herb used in countless dishes. In late winter through spring and often intermittently throughout the year in mild climates like Phoenix, mature Upright Rosemary plants produce numerous small, two-lipped flowers that are typically lavender-blue, though white and pink varieties exist. These delicate blooms are highly attractive to bees, making it an excellent pollinator plant. While it does produce small, inconspicuous seeds, its primary value lies in its fragrant foliage and ornamental form. Upright Rosemary is renowned for its exceptional drought tolerance once established, its resilience to heat, and its minimal maintenance requirements (aside from occasional pruning to maintain shape or harvest leaves). Its year-round appeal, culinary versatility, and tough nature make Upright Rosemary an outstanding choice for xeriscapes, herb gardens, hedges, borders, and as a fragrant accent plant in any sunny, well-drained landscape.