Rosemary ‘Tuscan Blue’ is a hardy, upright evergreen shrub prized for its highly aromatic foliage, attractive deep blue flowers and excellent culinary uses. More upright in habit than many rosemary varieties, it forms a dense, structured shrub that works beautifully as a hedge, feature plant or addition to Mediterranean and edible gardens.

The fragrant foliage can be harvested throughout the year for cooking, while the nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to bees and other beneficial pollinators.

Flowers

Produces attractive deep blue to lilac-blue flowers along the stems, with flowering generally strongest from autumn through spring. Flowers can also appear at other times of the year depending on climate and pruning.

Foliage

Evergreen, narrow needle-like leaves with a rich green colour and strong rosemary fragrance. The aromatic foliage is edible and can be harvested fresh for use in a wide variety of dishes.

Fruit

Small, dry seed-producing fruits may develop following flowering but are generally insignificant and are not considered an ornamental feature.

Form & Size

An upright, dense and vigorous evergreen shrub growing approximately 1.2–1.5 m high × 1–1.2 m wide. Regular pruning can easily maintain it at a smaller size and encourages dense, bushy growth.

Growing Conditions

Light: Full sun is preferred for dense growth, strong flowering and highly aromatic foliage.

Soil: Performs best in well-drained soil and tolerates sandy, loamy and relatively poor soils. Avoid constantly wet or poorly drained positions.

Water: Water regularly during establishment. Once established, Rosemary ‘Tuscan Blue’ is highly drought tolerant and requires relatively little supplementary watering.

Frost: Tolerates moderate frost once established.

Wind: Hardy in exposed positions and has good tolerance of coastal conditions and salt-laden winds.

Climate: Well suited to warm temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean-style climates. On the Sunshine Coast, position in full sun with excellent drainage and good airflow, particularly during periods of prolonged wet or humid weather.

Uses

Excellent for culinary and herb gardens, formal or informal hedging, Mediterranean-style gardens, cottage gardens, coastal landscapes, pots and large containers. Its naturally upright growth also makes it a particularly good rosemary variety for clipping and topiary.

Maintenance

Low maintenance once established. Prune regularly or after flowering to maintain a dense, compact shape and prevent the plant becoming overly woody. Avoid cutting heavily back into old bare wood where possible. Feed lightly during the growing season and avoid overwatering.

Notes

Rosemary ‘Tuscan Blue’ is an excellent combination of ornamental and edible gardening. Its upright growth makes it particularly useful where a more structured rosemary is required, while the strongly aromatic leaves can be picked fresh throughout the year.

The flowers are also an excellent food source for bees and other beneficial pollinators, making it a useful addition to productive and wildlife-friendly gardens.

Companion Plants

Pairs beautifully with Lavender, Westringia, Salvia, Thyme, Oregano, Santolina, Olive trees and other Mediterranean-style or drought-tolerant plants.

Common Name: Tuscan Blue Rosemary
Botanical Name: Salvia rosmarinus ‘Tuscan Blue’ (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Tuscan Blue’)
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Mediterranean region