Conradina Little Rosie

Conradina 'Little Rosie' is a descendant of small American shrubs from the Lamiaceae called False Rosemary. Indeed, this plant resembles rosemary, with its evergreen leaves in fragrant needles and its small bilabiate flowers. Its flowering is early and abundant from late winter to spring. Its frost resistance is similar to that of rosemary, and it is best grown in the ground in warmer regions. It adapts very well to container culture.

Conradina 'Little Rosie is a horticultural hybrid. The genus Conradina includes 7 species, nicknamed False Rosemary, all of which are native to the southeastern United States. They are perennial subshrubs with woody bases adapted to dunes and scrubland areas. In the USA, Conradina plants are used in landscaping and xeriscaping, as they tolerate drought and survive with little water, even in poor soils. 'Little Rosie' has a dense, rounded, spreading habit, supported by fairly flexible branches. An adult specimen will reach an average height of 60 to 70cm (24 to 8in) with a spread of 80cm (32in). Its evergreen foliage is composed of very narrow, linear leaves, 1.5 to 2.5cm (1in) long. They are stiff, slightly less leathery than those of rosemary, and bright green in colour. They are aromatic when crushed. Flowering mainly occurs from February to April. The bilabiate flowers are grouped in small clusters. They bloom in the axils of the leaves, towards the terminal part of the branches. Like rosemary, this shrub is a natural "weed killer"; its roots secrete molecules that inhibit the germination and growth of grasses in particular.

'Little Rosie' is fairly easy to grow in mild climates. It is tolerant of soil type, drought-resistant, and not afraid of sea spray. Its only enemy is cold and damp weather. It cannot withstand temperatures of -5°C (23°F) if the soil is not sufficiently well-drained. Excellent ground cover, delightful in borders, very at home in rockeries, it pairs well with all kinds of plants from mild climates such as cistus, lavenders, rosemary, thyme, teucrium. The choice is vast! Growing in containers allows the shrub to overwinter in a cold greenhouse or a bright and lightly heated conservatory in cold regions.