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'Gorizia' Rosemary, nicknamed "Barbecue Skewers" by Texas A&M AgriLife horticulturists, has been named a Texas Superstar Selection for its edible and ornamental characteristics and overall performance in the landscape and containers. A selected variety from the northeastern Italian town of the same name, Gorizia Rosemary is a fast grower with an upright and thick and sturdy stems clothed in needle-like, grey-green leaves that are twice the size of other rosemary varieties with incredible flavor and fragrance. Its profuse and pretty sky-blue flowers are an extra-added bonus and the butterflies and other beneficial pollinators will enjoy them. This variety provides many landscape design and culinary possibilities with leaves excellent for marinades and the stems for shish kabobs on the grill. In the landscape it serves well as an accent in smaller garden beds or in groupings or as a hedge in larger landscape spaces. If you love Rosemary, this is one superstar performer to consider adding to your garden.

To be designated a Texas Superstar, a plant must perform well for growers throughout the state...and that's saying a lot in such a large state with so many different hardiness zones and varying climates and micro-climates.

Gorizia Rosemary is a great culinary herb for the garden and has the added appeal of distinctly grey-green foliage and violet-blue flowers that make it suitable for use in the ornamental landscape or in containers. In the South, it is ideal for use as an accent, grouping or hedge in landscape borders. Be sure to plant it near decks, patios, porches and other outdoor living areas where the fragrance and the pretty blue flowers can be enjoyed from up close. Gorizia rosemary’s upright growth habit makes it a good option as the centerpiece in combination container gardens. Plant Gorizia rosemary near the center of the container bordered by smaller plants and/or plants that spill over the container’s edges. Keep in mind that plants in outdoor containers and baskets typically need more frequent watering than those in landscapes.

Gorizia Rosemary is a natural choice for the herb garden and a fine addition to coastal gardens, rock gardens, cottage gardens and fragrance gardens. In the North (above Zone 7a) it is best planted in containers that can be overwintered indoors but kept outside during the warm season.

Growing Preferences

Gorizia Rosemary is easy to grow in most any somewhat loose and moist to somewhat dry soil of average to low fertility and full to mostly sun. Good drainage is essential. Constantly wet soil is a killer. Plants will tolerate some shade but foliage won't be as dense. Though moderately cold hardy to Zone 7a, at the edge of its range, grow against a south wall for additional warmth and extra winter protection. Can be pruned regularly for shaping or use in cooking. Cold hardy to 0 degrees F. Applying and replenishing a layer of mulch around the root zone both in winter and summer will protect it in exposed locations and microclimates.

Thicker woody stems make the best barbeque skewers. Strip off the leaves for use in the marinade or later for other culinary needs and soak the skewers in water for about 20 minutes. Soaking helps release the aromatics while cooking and minimizes any burning wood.

Helpful Articles

Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, feed and water Rosemary plants in garden beds and containers.

How To Plant & Care For Rosemary Plants