Rosmarinus officinalis 'Herb Cottage'

Common Name:
Herb Cottage Rosemary

Description:
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Herb Cottage' is a compact, upright form of the classic culinary rosemary, ideal for smaller garden spaces, pots, and structured herb gardens. Known for its dense, aromatic foliage and profuse blue flowering, this cultivar thrives in Melbourne’s Mediterranean-style climate, preferring full sun and well-drained soil. It produces masses of pale to mid-blue flowers from late winter into spring and often again in late summer, attracting bees and other pollinators. The finely textured, needle-like leaves are highly fragrant and perfect for culinary use, especially in roasts, breads, and infused oils. 'Herb Cottage' is more compact and slower growing than traditional rosemary varieties, maintaining a tidy, rounded shape that responds well to clipping. Drought-tolerant and resilient, it also works beautifully as a low hedge or feature in both edible and ornamental landscapes.

Form:
Shrub - Small
Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

Mature Size:
Height: 60 – 80 cm
Width: 60 – 80 cm

Aspect:
Full Sun

Flowering:
Flowers in Winter
Flowers in Spring
Flowers in Late Summer (sporadically)

Flower Colour:
Pale Blue
Mid Blue

Key Attributes:
Suitable for Pots
Bee Attracting
Edible Leaves (Herb)
Drought Tolerant
Perennial
Suitable for Hedging
Low Maintenance
Highly Aromatic

Toxicity:
Non-toxic to humans; mildly toxic to pets if large quantities are consumed

Companion Plants:
Lavandula angustifolia
Thymus vulgaris
Origanum vulgare
Santolina chamaecyparissus
Salvia officinalis

For more information and photos of this species, Warners Nursery has detailed information available to the public here