Creeping rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Creeping rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6–18 in tall and 24–48 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Hardy to about zone 6, needs a warm protected site to survive Front Range winters. 'Arp' and 'Madeline Hill' are the hardiest selections.
On the CSU listlow water6–18 in tall and 24–48 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Salvia rosmarinus
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Arp', 'Madeline Hill', 'Prostratus'
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 6–18 in tall and 24–48 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~34–48 in apart
- Growth habit
- Trailing
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Bloom color
- blue, purple
- Bloom time
- mid spring, late spring
- Pollinator value
- high
- Site uses
- Hot south- or west-facing walls
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Using Creeping rosemary as a groundcover
Creeping rosemary trails and roots as it goes. It fills in to a moderately dense cover.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. Minimal water after, needs sharp drainage and tolerates true xeric conditions.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Creeping rosemary good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Creeping rosemary is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Creeping rosemary get?
- It matures to about 6–18 in tall and 24–48 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Creeping rosemary?
- Space Creeping rosemary about 34 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 48 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Creeping rosemary hardy on the Front Range?
- Creeping rosemary is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Creeping rosemary need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Creeping rosemary native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Creeping rosemary deer-resistant?
- Creeping rosemary is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Creeping rosemary a good firewise plant near the house?
- Creeping rosemary is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Creeping rosemary?
- Creeping rosemary isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Will Creeping rosemary spread or stay put?
- Creeping rosemary is trailing. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Creeping rosemary stay green in winter?
- Creeping rosemary keeps partial cover through Front Range winters.
