Q&A for How to Grow Rosemary

Yes, they can live in part shade as long as they are in a well-draining soil and location.

Rosemary does not grow from a central trunk, so it can't be shaped as a ball off the ground. You could prune a bush into a round shape at ground level.

Rosemary grows best in soils that are well drained and slightly alkaline. However, rosemary will tolerate growing in poor soils as well, as long as the position it is in is not too windy or scorching hot.

Rosemary can be kept bushy with regular harvesting and pruning. You can also shape rosemary with pruning if desired.

Rosemary is drought tolerant and doesn't need a lot of watering, so it is a good choice for a dry climate. It also copes well with poor soils, often found in dry climates. Don't completely neglect to water it though; it appreciates being watered as it is still a living plant and when possible, water it well now and then. Watering well infrequently rather than watering in a shallow way regularly will increase its drought tolerance.

Rosemary can reach up to 60cm (23 inches) to 1.5 meters (59 inches) in height and spreads widely. It is best planted 1 meter (39 inches) apart when placed in a row. However, for a hedge or hedge-style plant wall, plant them closer together so they can grow into each other. Keep trimmed for a neat hedge.

Since rosemary is an evergreen, it doesn't have seasonal changes like deciduous plants. When it looks dead, it's probably dead, especially since rosemary hates having wet feet or too much water. Wait a little longer but it's probably best to buy a new plant or take a cutting from a neighbor.

Standard rosemary grows to about 2 meters (6 feet) in height. It is very slow to reach this height, however. The dwarf variety will reach about 45cm (18") in height and is suitable for container growing.

No. You may put a fresh twig in a casserole, strip the leaves in, or just thread bits of lamb and veggies onto a rosemary skewer for the barbecue.

Sure. You can use either fresh or dried rosemary - about a sprig per cup. The flavor and aroma are lovely, just bear in mind that the longer you steep the rosemary in hot water, the stronger and more bitter your tea will become.

The sand might be too heavy. Try using a compost soil, which is very soft and nutritious for rosemary.

You may have disturbed the root ball, or you transplanted during its active growing cycle. Evergreens stay green year round, but they do slow growth during the winter, and this is the time when it is safest to transplant.

Cut rosemary will stay fresh quite a while if you put it in a vase with water. In fact, it might even start to grow roots. If you don't give it any water, it will dry fairly quickly. It won't turn brown; the color will change to a gray-green.

Depending on where you live, you might not have to. While rosemary can tolerate minor amounts of snow, it cannot tolerate a lot of snow, or very cold temperatures, especially for long periods of time.

Pruning your plant will almost certainly help. Cutting off dead branches will not hurt your plant. Any bits you leave lying on the ground won't root, and even if they did, you could just pull them up.

No. Only leaves are utile, whether green or dried. Roots lack any scent or fragrance.

If it's drooping, it may not be getting enough sunlight. Try placing it in a sunnier location. Failing that, check that your soil composition is right for rosemary.

It may be insect eggs. Looking up images of "garden plant insect eggs" to narrow down the type.

It might be aphids. Try an organic aphid killer.