Rosmarinus officinalis Blue Cascade

Rosmarinus officinalis Blue Cascade is a creeping and trailing variety of rosemary, perfect for borders or pots. In a not-too-harsh climate, reserve a warm, dry, and well-drained spot with limestone soil to enjoy its deliciously aromatic evergreen foliage! Small blue-lilac flowers with darker veins, highly attractive to pollinators, appear in autumn and often in late spring as well.

Rosemary is a bush originating from the Mediterranean region and is therefore highly resistant to drought. It belongs to the large family of Lamiaceae, which offers us many aromatic plants abundantly used in our kitchens: thyme, savory, and sage being the most well-known. These plants produce large quantities of essential oils that repel herbivores, protect them from the scorching sun rays, and give them these highly appreciated scents.

The 'Blue Cascade' variety has a prostrate and compact habit, not exceeding 40cm (16in) in all directions. Its slightly twisted branches spread along the ground or trail if given the opportunity. In autumn, numerous small flowers of a very pretty pale blue, veined with blue-lilac, appear. They are highly appreciated by pollinators and sporadically reappear in late spring or even in the middle of winter. The elongated leaves are dark green and evergreen, with a folded margin that provides an additional adaptation to drought.

Like all rosemary plants, Blue Cascade appreciates warm, very well-drained, rather chalky, and poor soil. In regions with rainy winters, make sure that the soil is not waterlogged during the cold season, as the plant could then contract a fungal disease that would cause it to wither. Due to its Mediterranean origins, rosemary is not completely frost-hardy, so avoid exposing it to temperatures below -12°C (10.4°F). As always, hardiness will be better if the soil is perfectly drained.

Due to its trailing habit, Blue Cascade rosemary is capable of layering itself when the branches touch the ground, so you will have no difficulty multiplying it! Furthermore, its small size makes it perfect for use in pots. This way, you can decorate your balcony or terrace while providing yourself with some herbs. In rockeries or as groundcover in a border, it can be combined with other plants such as shrubby salvias (Salvia microphylla, S. gregii), polychrome euphorbias, or even Agave neomexicana for a more exotic atmosphere.