Light Up the Holidays
Looking for a holiday gift that keeps giving after the holidays? Purchase a rosemary tree topiary.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) plants shaped like a Christmas tree are festive for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
This herb is fragrant, attractive and edible. While rosemary is tricky to grow indoors, the challenge of keeping the topiary alive until spring may be worth your money and effort.
When purchasing a rosemary tree, select a specimen that is evenly shaped. The rosemary sprigs (leaves) should be crisp and intact, not brown and dropping from the plant.
Wrap the plant carefully when transporting the plant from the garden center to your home to prevent shock.
Proper home conditions are crucial for keeping the rosemary topiary alive.
Rosemary are native to the Mediterranean geographic areas, where they thrive in harsh conditions and absorb moisture from the sea air. We can mimic these conditions indoors.
Remove any wrapping from the plant's pot and place the pot in a tray filled with pebbles or small rocks. Check for at least one drainage hole in the pot; cut a hole into the pot if a drainage hole is not present. Cover the rocks with water, which adds moisture to the air surrounding the plant.
Place the rosemary and tray in full sun, and turn the plant periodically to assure symmetrical growth. Only water the rosemary when the soil is dry, as over watering causes the roots to rot.To determine if your rosemary tree needs to be watered, insert your finger about one inch into the soil. If the soil feels dry, water the plant thoroughly.To water your rosemary tree, place the pot in a container and add water to the container. Leave the rosemary in the water for about an hour, then remove the plant and let the water drain out. Return the rosemary to its pebble tray.Check your rosemary topiary for new growth, and prune the rosemary to keep its shape, if desired. Remove or prune out dead branches and sprigs.Rosemary are hardy, but they are prone to two diseases: powdery mildew and spider mites.Powdery mildew appears as a white coating on the rosemary sprigs. This disease occurs when foliage growth is crowded. Treatment usually is not needed, because the mildew will disappear when the plant is outside in the springtime.Spider mites occur when there is poor air circulation and dense sprigs. Treat spider mites by placing the plant in a tub and giving it a shower, assuring that the soil drains thoroughly. Afterward, return the plant to its sunny location.If you have any doubts about the viability of the rosemary tree or the spread of disease or pests, discard the plant.
After the last frost in May, transfer your rosemary topiary to the outdoors. You can slowly acclimate the plant by placing it outdoors for a few hours a day.Rosemary prefer a sunny location with well-drained soil. Because rosemary plants grow best in poor soil, there is no need to add soil amendments or fertilizers.If you feel the need to fertilize, use a diluted fertilizer for a few weeks before transplanting outdoors. Your rosemary tree topiary can be planted directly into the ground or transferred into a container.To transplant, remove your rosemary from its pot, and gently separate the roots. Cut away dead or circling roots to promote new root growth. Place the rosemary into the ground or larger container at its soil level.Water the rosemary when dry, and enjoy its scent and sprigs throughout the summer.Offer a rosemary topiary tree as a hostess gift or use as a decorative element on your mantle, table or window. With proper care, you will have your first herb plant for your summer garden!Lisa Marie Bernardo, PhD, RN, is a Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Butler County.
