Rosemary isn’t just a kitchen staple — it’s also one of the most fragrant and beautiful plants you can add to your garden. This evergreen herb delights with its aromatic foliage, delicate flowers, and versatility in the landscape. Whether you’re looking for a cascading ground cover, an upright ornamental shrub, or a potted plant for your patio, there’s a rosemary variety to suit your space. Let’s explore nine different types of rosemary plants perfect for creating a lush, aromatic garden oasis.
1. Tuscan Blue Rosemary
Tuscan Blue is a favorite among gardeners for its tall, upright growth habit and striking deep blue flowers. Growing up to 6 feet tall in ideal conditions, this variety makes an excellent hedge, border plant, or fragrant privacy screen. Its thick, needle-like leaves are intensely aromatic, making it a fantastic choice for culinary use and herbal teas. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it’s also drought-tolerant once established — perfect for Mediterranean-style or low-maintenance gardens.
2. Prostratus (Creeping Rosemary)
If you’re looking for a rosemary variety that spills gracefully over walls, containers, or garden edges, Prostratus is your go-to choice. Also known as Creeping Rosemary, this low-growing type reaches about 1–2 feet in height and spreads up to 8 feet wide. Its arching stems are covered in soft, needle-like foliage and produce delicate light blue flowers in spring and summer. Aside from its ornamental charm, the leaves are just as aromatic as upright varieties, making them perfect for seasoning and infusions.
3. Arp Rosemary
Arp Rosemary is one of the hardiest varieties available, tolerating temperatures as low as -10°F. It boasts pale blue flowers and slightly broader, gray-green leaves with a lemony fragrance. Ideal for cooler climates, Arp grows into an upright shrub reaching about 4–5 feet tall. It’s equally suitable for culinary use, landscaping, and container gardening. With its fresh scent and cold resilience, Arp Rosemary is a perfect option for gardeners who want an aromatic herb that can withstand harsh winters.
4. Barbeque Rosemary
As its name suggests, Barbeque Rosemary is the ideal variety for grilling enthusiasts. Its long, straight stems double as natural, aromatic skewers for grilling meats and vegetables. The plant itself grows upright, typically reaching 4–6 feet tall, with dark green, needle-like leaves and pale blue flowers. Barbeque Rosemary thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it suitable for both garden beds and large containers. Aside from its culinary perks, it adds wonderful fragrance and structure to any herb garden.
5. Majorca Pink Rosemary
For a unique touch in your aromatic garden, Majorca Pink offers lovely pale pink to lavender flowers instead of the classic blue. This creeping variety has a semi-trailing habit, making it perfect for hanging baskets, raised beds, and cascading over garden walls. It reaches about 2 feet in height and can spread up to 4–6 feet wide. The foliage carries the signature rosemary scent, perfect for culinary use and natural home fragrances. Its delicate blooms also attract bees and pollinators, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity.
6. Hill Hardy (Madeline Hill) Rosemary
Another frost-tolerant favorite, Hill Hardy Rosemary — also known as Madeline Hill — is valued for its resilience and classic rosemary flavor. It can survive temperatures down to 0°F, making it a top pick for colder regions. This upright variety grows to about 3–4 feet tall, producing soft blue flowers in late winter or early spring. Its narrow, aromatic leaves make it perfect for cooking, and its hardy nature ensures it remains evergreen year-round, offering fragrance and texture even in the coldest months.
7. Blue Boy Rosemary
If you’re short on space but still want an aromatic rosemary plant, Blue Boy is an excellent dwarf variety. It grows to only about 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide, making it perfect for windowsill gardens, small patios, and compact herb beds. Despite its size, Blue Boy doesn’t skimp on fragrance or flavor. It features tiny, dark green leaves and delicate lavender-blue flowers. Its manageable size and charming appearance make it a popular pick for container gardening and decorative planters.
8. Gorizia Rosemary
Known for its extra-large leaves and bold flavor, Gorizia Rosemary is a robust, upright variety that can grow up to 5–6 feet tall. Its wide, flavorful leaves are ideal for culinary uses, especially in roasted dishes and marinades. Gorizia produces striking light blue flowers and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Aside from its practical uses, this rosemary’s lush, dense foliage makes it an attractive hedge or privacy screen, adding both scent and structure to any garden space.
9. Spice Island Rosemary
Spice Island Rosemary lives up to its name with intensely aromatic, flavorful leaves that are perfect for seasoning a wide range of dishes. This upright variety grows to about 4–5 feet tall and is known for its dense, dark green foliage and profuse light blue blooms in late winter and spring. Its strong, savory aroma makes it a top pick for herb gardens, culinary enthusiasts, and natural home fragrance projects. Spice Island thrives in full sun, well-drained soil, and can also be grown in large containers.
Final Thoughts
Adding a variety of rosemary plants to your garden isn’t just a feast for the senses — it’s also a practical and beautiful way to fill your space with lush greenery and natural fragrance. Whether you prefer upright, trailing, or dwarf varieties, rosemary offers something for every garden style and climate. Plant a mix of these aromatic types and enjoy year-round greenery, culinary herbs, and a garden filled with irresistible fragrance.