Rosemary hardiness in CT?

I have several rosemary plants that I have been growing in pots for years. This year, I finally decided to plant them in the ground as they were getting too big for their pots and finding space for them indoors has gotten very challenging. My concern is whether or not these plants will survive the winter outdoors, how much mulch I should be using on them and whether or not I should cut them back. I am in zone 6b and have read mixed reviews about rosemary in my area and any local/regional help is greatly appreciated.

I had one survive this last winter - I mulched it real good. It is also planted by the stone patio - so I wonder if that helped as well

I just bought a rosemary 'Arp' and I'm going to give it a try. wish I could be more help. I'm going to put it in a sheltered place near some large boulders. Figured it would stop the wind and help hold some heat.

I think I am going to try and mulch and burlap one of the plants this year. The potted one I will bring inside and do cuttings like I did last year.

I've never had one survive the winter here in West Hartford - even in a sheltered alcove.....

Very infrequently have I had any make it over winter and 'Arp' was a big disappointment. Heat does help and I've read that rocks (many rocks) around the base will help them live over winter. I guess they hold the heat but thinking that it would be enough is hard to imagine. Worth a try!

I put in a 'Hardy Hill' rosemary this year next to a big rock close to the house on a southern exposure. It is supposed to be heartier than Arp. I have lost every other rosemary I put in - but I did them in a parking strip where the were really quite exposed inspite of heavy mulching. I will add some additional rocks around it and lots of leaves and keep my fingers crossed. Rosemary is classed as a 'tender' perennial - guess Connecticut isn't in the tender zone.

I have ARP, it's the only one that has survived in my zone for 3 years. It is hardy to zone 5, but I mulch it anyway. So, good choice grampapa.

Pegdog, There is a Texan looking for info on VA in a new thread on this forum. Maybe you could help them out?

Absolutely. Will do.

Did not survive winter even though near shoreline. Now I have two in pots indoors in a bay window doing fine.

I think if you are living near the water variety and of course size (doesn't it always) matters. I know people in my town who have a rosemary hedge. kt

I know this is an old post, but thought I'd update everyone. One of the rosemary plants I planted outside managed to survive and barely so. All the branches from last season are dead with the exception of the bottom layer that is making a nice comeback. Does anyone else who experimented with rosemary in our zones managed to successfully overwinter them outdoors?

I had the same thing happen with a rosemary I keep inside in a 14" pot. It bloomed at Christmas. Looked good until March, then all the branches except one small one at the bottom appeared dead. Have it outside and one more small branch down low is green but most of the plant looks gone.

my 'Arp' survived the winter with some green still intact, but a later freezing may have done it in. I don't see any new growth on it and we had another frost last night. I have to admit I never did give it the extra mulch I intended. so if it didn't make it, I will try again this year. I'll report back here after I give a little more time. it may still come back. it was a very small plant.

I had an arp survive a couple of winters but it always died back (mostly) to the ground. I want to try again because it's such a delight to use the leaves fresh, even IF it's not supposed to be the best culinary variety.

Linda

My 'Hardy Hill' didn't make it. I had it close to the house next to a big rock for warmth and buried it in leaves. Sigh. Rosemarys are annuals for me, I guess.

My rosemary didn't make it this year - I am sure it was because the mulch was blown away by the landscaper which I didn't realize until too late.

Mine was dead, too. I'm so used to it that I just buy a few new varities each year.

The one plant that survived for me is Upright Rosemary, not Arp interestingly. I had two Arp plants and both died.

As an outrider to rosemary, what is "Arp"? Just a cultivar name?

Yes, Dave.

Oh. "Cause I have Aarp.

Me, too, but it's not the same. I know I once read the story of how it got that name but being an AARP person I'll be darned if I can recall it now. Probably at 3 A.M. I'll think of it and give you a call.

http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/rosoffarp.htm

Thank you. I think I'm far too clay & wet for rosemary.

You could always try it in a pot since it likes dry over wet.