The Coastal Buzz
In the Garden
APRIL 2022
15
Rosemary in the Garden: Folklore and Uses By Pat Naughton
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here’s a lot of folklore related to rosemary. The previous Latin name was Rosmarinus officinalis; officinalis indicates that is has some use, either medicinal or culinary. The genus name Rosmarinus derives from the Latin words ros and marinus which together translate to “dew of the sea.” In 2019, rosemary was determined to be part of the salvia family and was renamed Salvia rosmarinus, since Salvia officinalis was taken.
Photo courtesy NC Extension Plant Toolbox, Gil Costa
plant. It likes full sun in a hot dry climate and does not tolerant wet feet, which makes it easy to grow in the sandy soil of Brunswick County. When planting rosemary don’t add a lot of organic matter to the soil. Also keep organic matter away from the base of the plant. Organic matter can splash on the plant and harm it. Use stones or oyster shells, which will help increase the pH, as a mulch bed.
Rosemary is a garden plant with a rich history that flourishes in the sandy soils of Brunswick County.
Rosemary Lore In Christian folklore, it is believed the plant grows to full height in 33 years, representative of the life span of Jesus. The wild species has a blue flower; the legend is when Mary and Joseph were fleeing to Egypt, she laid her blue cloak on rosemary to dry and that is how it got blue flowers. Hence the name, Rose of Mary. In the Middle Ages people wore rosemary to protect them from plague. Ancient Greeks and Romans threw sprigs of it into graves to signify their desire to remember the departed. This plant was also used in Ancient Greece to strengthen memory, and students wore sprigs in their hair when they studied. It’s believed to ward off evil spirits and attract fairies. Protective mothers would hang it over a crib to keep fairies from stealing infants.
There’s an old saying, “Where Rosemary flourishes, the Woman rules.” A man who is indifferent to the fragrance of rosemary is unable to give true love to a woman, and those who smell rosemary frequently will retain their youth. It’s good luck to plant rosemary by the door (and it gives a nice fragrance when you run your hand through it as you pass by). You should never buy rosemary for yourself. The best luck comes when it is received as a gift.
Uses for Rosemary Around the garden it helps repel insects, especially bean beetles and moths. People hang it in closets to repel moths. When used as a hair rinse it may prevent dandruff, baldness, and even gray hair. To make a mouthwash, boil a pint of water, add 3 teaspoons dried rosemary, and steep for 30 minutes. Keep this in the fridge. Rosemary is a Mediterranean
Remove any dead leaves that fall. Rosemary does not need a lot of watering. Rosemary likes hot dry conditions and so do spider mites. They will appear as a bundle of dry grey leaves. The best remedy is to blast the plant with a strong garden hose from all sides. Rosemary can be used in cooking fresh or dried. The sprigs make great toothpicks for grilled pineapple or a caprese skewer with cherry tomato, basil, mozzarella, and balsamic vinegar. Rosemary is readily available at home centers and nurseries and is inexpensive. For good luck, ask your neighbor to pick up a plant for you. For more information about rosemary, search the NC plant toolbox for Salvia rosmarinus. For unscientific but interesting folklore, visit plant-lore.com or witchapedia.com. There is also a YouTube video by JC Raulston Arboretum titled “Holiday Dinner Prep.”
