Robusto™ Rosemary

Robusto Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis 'ROS01') is a lower growing, dark green rosemary bred by Ozbreed, with soft leaves that are less chewy and full of flavour. It forms a bushy plant 45cm to 60cm high and wide, ideal as a compact hedge or a natural shrub, and carries bright blue flowers. Ozbreed rates its flavour as stronger than other blue flowered forms.

Why you'll love it

• Soft, flavourful leaves. The leaves are less chewy than traditional rosemary, so they are pleasant to eat as well as to smell.
• Stronger flavour. A classic rosemary taste, stronger than other blue flowered forms.
• Lower growing. A dark green, bushy habit 45cm to 60cm high keeps it manageable beside a path or in a pot.
• Bright blue flowers. The flowers are a clear blue, and bees visit them.
• Tough and low fuss. Rosemary is drought tolerant and frost hardy once established, and it asks for little.

Where it works best

Compact hedges. Plant 45cm to 60cm apart in a single row. At 45cm the plants knit sooner, and at 60cm each shrub keeps its own rounded shape.

Kitchen gardens. Grow a single plant as a natural bushy shrub within reach of the kitchen.

Pots and borders. Its lower habit suits a large pot or the front of a sunny border, among lavender and other dry garden plants.

In the kitchen. Ozbreed recommends it on lamb and other European meat dishes, in pizzas and focaccia, with potatoes, or steeped in olive oil.

Growing Robusto Rosemary in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to light shade. Rosemary suits temperate, Mediterranean and dry gardens best, and is frost hardy once established. Humid summers are harder on it, so good air movement and drainage matter. Plant in spring, summer or early autumn.

Soil. Well drained soil is the one real requirement. On heavy clay, plant on a mound with coarse material worked in, because wet roots are the usual cause of sudden losses.

Water and feed. Water as required, letting the soil dry out between waterings. In spring and autumn, if required, apply a slow release fertiliser, and avoid over fertilising, which softens the growth and dilutes the flavour.

Pruning and harvest. Harvest as required. Prune by up to a third in spring to encourage new, softer growth, and again in early autumn if needed. Never cut back into bare old wood, because rosemary rarely reshoots from it.

What to expect when it arrives

We list Robusto Rosemary in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Stock comes from Ozbreed's licensed growers and is not always available, so a size shows as sold out when no grower has it. The notify button on this page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Edible plants and bush tucker
• Hedging and screening plants
• Growing a successful fruit and vegetable garden
• See the full Ozbreed range

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

Plant 45cm to 60cm apart in a single row. Choose 45cm for a quicker hedge and 60cm for rounder individual shrubs.

How is it different from ordinary rosemary?

It is lower growing, with soft, less chewy leaves, and Ozbreed rates its flavour as stronger than other blue flowered forms.

Can I cut it back hard?

No. Take up to a third in spring, but never cut into bare wood, because rosemary rarely reshoots from it.