The heavenly aromatic Mediterranean herb rosemary can completely flourish in your London garden with a little help from DIA TEAM GARDENERS. London is not the Mediterranean, but we can give this tough shrub all the help it needs to be its best.
Rosemary Triumph: Sun, Soil and Water
The first rule is sun: Rosemary requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Provide the sunniest location in your garden for best performance.
Second is drainage. Rosemary can’t stand getting wet feet, particularly in London’s soggy winters. If your dirt is heavy clay, grow it in raised beds or large pots. Adding grit or perlite into your soil mix will go a long way towards increasing drainage. Remember: better dry than waterlogged!
For watering, once your rosemary is established, it’s pretty drought-tolerant. Water infrequently, when the top 3-4 inches are fully dry. Potted plants will require more frequent watering, particularly in the summer.
Planting and Winter Protection
April Rosemary’s prime planting time is spring. London pot planting container then gives you this easy option for all your winter garden. Use porous pots with well drainage holes.
Trim back your rosemary after it blooms to keep it compact and to encourage new growth.
Hardy enough, rosemary does enjoy some protection in a London winter. Cover the base of the plant with compost or straw. If you are growing it in a pot, place it in a protected, cool, bright spot.
Thanks to these simple gardening ideas from DIA TEAM GARDENERS, your rosemary plant will thrive and you will have that Mediterranean aroma in your city garden.