Rosemary 'Sudbury Blue'

'Sudbury Blue' is a highly regarded rosemary cultivar within the UK horticultural community, known for its exceptionally fine, needle-like foliage and intense flower colour. It exhibits a tidy, semi-upright habit, generally reaching about 80cm to 1m in height. The leaves have a particularly high concentration of essential oils, giving them a powerful, resinous aroma that is perfect for heavy culinary use. In mid-spring, the plant is transformed by a profusion of bright, clear blue flowers that are a magnet for the first foraging bees of the season. This variety is noted for being slightly more robust and maintaining a better shape than 'Miss Jessup's Upright' in some conditions. It is hardy to H4, but thrives best in a sun-drenched, south-facing position with sharply drained soil. Avoid over-watering and heavy feeding, as this can lead to lush growth that is more susceptible to frost damage. It makes an excellent structural herb for a Mediterranean-themed terrace or a dry coastal garden.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: Apr, May.