Winterproof or hardy?
Many garden owners can quickly be misled by terms such as “hardy” and “hardy”. The term “winter-proof” in particular suggests a high degree of insensitivity to winter cold; exactly the opposite is the case. Most rosemary varieties are winter hardy, but not hardy. This means that they can withstand low temperatures around freezing point, but minus degrees in the low single-digit range only with the appropriate protection. Winter hardy varieties, on the other hand, also survive cold spells 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 German wine-growing regions during the cold season, hardy ones in the rest of Germany as well.
also read
- Can you plant rosemary in the garden?
- Do not overwinter rosemary without protection
- Rosemary - easy propagation via cuttings
Only a few hardy varieties
Unfortunately, there are very few really hardy rosemary varieties, most are either winter-proof 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:
- Veitshöchheimer Rosemary (cultivation from Franconia specially adapted to German conditions)
- “Blue Winter” (hardy to minus 20 ° C, very robust)
- "Hill Hardy" (conditionally hardy with appropriate protection)
- "Arp" (very insensitive to frost)
Other varieties are only partially hardy or hardy. The popular varieties “Salem” and “Pine Rosemary”, on the other hand, are among the most sensitive rosemary and are not even winter-proof.
Hibernate rosemary properly
Whether or not rosemary can overwinter in the garden depends not only on the variety, but also on other factors such as age, climate and location. Younger rosemary plants are much more sensitive to cold and frost than rosemary from the third year of standing, which are already well and deeply rooted in the ground. The location is important to the extent that neither the roots nor the branches should freeze to death - that is, the plant has to be protected by the wise choice of location. For this reason, south-facing locations in full sun, surrounded by walls or walls that give off heat, are particularly suitable for planting. Young plants and only winter-proof 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 no later than early to mid-August, but not in autumn. Such a cut would make it more difficult for the plant to survive the winter.
IJA
