Wild Rosemary

Conradina canescens

Size: 1 & 3 Gallon Availability

Flower
Max size: 3′ tall x 3′ wide
Average Size: 2′ tall x 3′ wide

Sand, Clay
Sun, Part Shade
Moist to Dry, Very Dry
Tolerant of low amounts of salt spray

AKA: Beach Rosemary, Gray Rosemary, Shortleaf Rosemary

An evergreen shrub that prefers well-drained sandy conditions. It puts off lavender-to-white colored flowers. They typically bloom March-August but can flower year-round under ideal conditions. They can be heavily pruned to desired shape and height in late spring or summer. They are drought tolerant once established.

The flowers provide nectar for native bees and other pollinators. The foliage provides critical habitat for the imperiled beach mouse. Florida rosemary, including this species, is the only food for the rosemary grasshopper. They also support the rarely-seen cotton fleahopper.

Wild rosemary is edible; some find the taste lightly soapy while others note it’s simply less sweet than culinary rosemary. Most people find it to be reminiscent of the taste of rosemary mixed with lavender and citrus. Use it as you would any edible herb; snip the ends to use fresh or harvest in spring/summer to dry for year-long use.