The aromatic and very versatile rosemary should not be missing in any herb garden. The shrub, which is actually quite easy to care for, only has one problem: it is not at home in the typical German climate and will quickly freeze to death if it is not overwintered properly. It does occasionally get cold in its Mediterranean homeland, but bitter cold and double-digit temperatures below zero are rarely encountered in the Mediterranean. Nevertheless, hardy rosemary can be found in many well-stocked garden centers. These are special breeds.
Which rosemary is hardy?
Winter-hardy rosemary varieties are Veitshöchheim rosemary, Blue Winter, Hill Hardy and Arp. They can withstand temperatures down to minus 20 °C. Other varieties are only partially hardy or winter-proof, while popular varieties such as Salem or Pine Rosemary are more sensitive.
Winterproof or hardy?
Many garden owners are easily misled by terms like “hardy” and “winter-proof”. The term “winter-proof” in particular suggests a great insensitivity to winter cold; exactly the opposite is the case. Most rosemary varieties are winter hardy, but not hardy. This means that they can tolerate low temperatures around freezing point, but temperatures in the low single-digit range can only be tolerated with the appropriate protection. Winter-hardy varieties, on the other hand, can also survive cold periods with lower temperatures down to minus 15 or even minus 22 °C, depending on the variety. Winter-hardy rosemary varieties are only allowed to stay outside in the cold season in the German wine-growing regions, winter-hardy ones are also allowed in the rest of the republic.
Only a few hardy varieties
Unfortunately, there are only very few truly winter-hardy rosemary varieties; most are either winter-hardy or can only tolerate lower temperatures for a short period of time. If you are looking for hardy rosemary, you should stick to the following varieties:
- Veitshöchheim rosemary (cultivation from Franconia specifically adapted to German conditions)
- “Blue Winter” (hardy down to minus 20 °C, very robust)
- “Hill Hardy” (conditionally hardy with appropriate protection)
- “Arp” (very resistant to frost)
Other varieties are only partially hardy or winter-proof. The popular varieties “Salem” and “Pine Rosemary”, on the other hand, are among the most sensitive rosemaries and are not even winter-proof.
Overwintering rosemary properly
Whether rosemary can overwinter in the garden or not depends not only on the variety, but also on other factors such as age, climate and location. Younger rosemary plants are significantly more sensitive to cold and frost than rosemary plants from their third year onwards, which are already well and deeply rooted in the soil. The location is important in that neither the roots nor the branches are allowed to freeze - i.e. H. The plant must be protected by choosing the location wisely. Therefore, southern locations surrounded by walls or house walls that give off heat are particularly suitable for planting. Young plants and only winter-hardy rosemary are best potted over the winter in a cool but frost-free room with temperatures around 10 °C. Hardy and older plants, on the other hand, can remain in the garden, but should be protected from the cold with a thick layer of brushwood and leaves.
Tips & Tricks
Like other Mediterranean plants, rosemary should be pruned in early to mid-August at the latest, but not in autumn. Such a cut would make it difficult for the plant to survive the winter.