My rosemary finished blooming and is lush green these days. But I think it has way too many branches which is weighing it down. How do I thin it? Can I cut the branches which are in the lower end of it? There is a beautiful thyme underneath it and it is almost covering that. I haven't taken a recent picture - this one is 6 weeks old. Rosemary and Thyme - looks and smells heavenly ( photo / image / picture from Tina's Garden )
I don`t think it would hurt to remove a few branches as long as it gets plenty of water and it isn`t stressed. They are pretty forgiving.
Those drooping rosemary limbs want to airlayer and become new bush'. if they have already callused or rooted cut them off and pot them separately. Some will live.
I have huge rosemary bushes. I just cut it when I need it. when they get too big and hang over the sidewalk, I cut them off, bundle them up and take them to the farm market. The bush never seems to mind being cut back. It just puts on new growth. My dog, Chance, used to rub up against them and then sit and sniff the aroma. We planted some rosemary for her when she died. dooley
I remember that. It was such a tender and nice thing to do. Bet you miss Chance when you smell Rosemary.
I think our area is too cold for rosemary,(Wisconsin) but I will check it out. I love the smell of the plants. I have tried growing inside but I have lost everyone I tried. ...what a nice thing to do for Chance dooley....our forever friends will always be with us in our hearts...
Sherry, we grew rosemary outside in the ground in upstate NY zone 6a. Just put it in a protected area out of the wind, and preferably up against the foundation of the house if the foundation is stone or cement. If not, just stack a pile of bricks in back of the rosemary to absorb and slowly release heat. Rosemary just doesn't like being inside--not enough light, probably too humid, and gets root-bound easily. We grow prostrate, Tuscan, and officinalis here in Texas, but there are other types of rosemary that are better adapted to cooler climes. I can't remember right now what they are, but if you want to know I'll look them up in my gardening book.
Thank you marlingardener...I googled it and did find some rosemary for my zone. I will have to wait and see if I have any room left because I ordered more daylilys. I am not sure why I haven't seen any in the nurserys around here, maybe it all has to be ordered online. I do love the smell of it. Thank you..
When my rosemary gets too bushy, I'll cut whole branches off and dry them. They are very hardy and new branches will grow.
KK, I cut the larger branches (about as big around as my little finger or slightly smaller), strip off the leaves, and use them for skewers when grilling meat or shish kebabs. It gives the food a nice delicate rosemary flavor. The leaves can be dried for later use, or tossed on the coals for a stronger rosemary taste.
Great idea Marlingardener but my rosemary does not have thick or long enough branches. I think maybe it could be due to the climate. I'm going to see if there is any difference from those planted in Europe when I'm there.
