Rosemary Tree

Hello Guys/Gals, I just purchased a rosemary triangular shaped tree. It is supposed to be winter hardy here in zone 8a. Should I go ahead and put it in the ground, mulched well? Although we have freezes here, the ground never freezes. I just don't have space or bright enough light to keep it inside. What do you suggest?

I would think you could go ahead and plant it. Probably don't even need to mulch it. It likes it dry, so if you don't have excellent drainage, I'd plant it kinda high.
Barb

good luck Deebie. I've received them for 3 years, and they are not hardy here. I'm on borderline between 7b and 7a.

unless I'm mistaken, that's a topiary/bonzai created pyramid. The plant tends to bush out, when left natural, into a mid sized shrub.

In the low country rosemary grows like crazy into a medium size spreading bush. My son likes to hide in one of the neighbors so that should give you an idea about size. He's very fragrant after he does that, LOL. I don't know how cold hardy it is but around here one will supply you year round with all the rosemary you can use.

I planted a small rosemary 2 years ago, and it has since tripled in size. I think they practically give them away at Lowes after Christmas. They're great aromatic shrubs, and they are definitely cold hardy in my frost prone, zone 8a back yard. (no protection) I think I may have planted mine in spring, but I don't think it matters. DG plantfiles lists them as cold hardy to zone 7a. I'm surprised they can't make it in Raleigh, especially with the heat island effect.

This message was edited Dec 16, 2009 7:34 PM

if any of y'all need a hardier rosemary, Plant Delights carries one that I've got in full sun. It was a tiny thing, probably a 1pint pot. Now it's got to be moved it's such a monster. Planted beside the drive, thought it would grow like thyme or sage. nope. it's still over 3ft tall and more than that wide, think it may have scratched my truck when I pulled in yesterday.

Someone gave me one that they had dug up from their yard in Charlotte. It's thriving at my house now. 30 miles due North.

Thanks everyone. I will go ahead and plant mine. I'm sure it'll probably get some frost damage before winter's over, but it shouldn't be anything I can't trim back. Any yes, Lowe's did practically give them away. I paid $2 for a gallon size pyramid plant. Yeah for me!

Yeah for you!

Thank you.

I have 3 that are over 5 yeears old and doing well

Wow, that's so encouraging. I didn't know that they were so hardy. I planted mine recently. But with the below freezing temps we are having at night all this week, I will be covering them to protect them from frost. Wish me well.

Deebie,
Goo idea to cover them since you planted them recently. by next winter you won't have to worry about them.

Thank you. It' nice to know that I'm doing something right. I'm looking forward to enjoying this plant.