Plants with Purpose

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Plants with Purpose - April 06

I'VE JUST RETURNED from a few days volunteer-gardening with a friend at the Centre for World Peace and Health on Holy Isle, off Arran, and was struck immediately by the difference in climate. Leaving Perthshire devoid of signs of spring, even daffodils, I found the island, warmed by the gulfstream, already flowering and buds breaking into leaf. Some of the daffodils were actually going over!

One plant in an advanced stage of spring was the thriving Rosemary bush in the centre of the garden. Rosemary – Rosmarinus – means “dew of the sea”, because its narrow leaves and waxy leaf cuticle (actually strategies to enable it to survive in drought conditions) make it salt-tolerant and a great asset to seaside gardens. The Mandala Garden at the Centre, created from scratch for the enjoyment of people and wildlife alike, is actually on a raised beach, metres from the shore, blasted by strong winds and subject to persistent west-coast rain. Despite this, fruit trees are productive, roses do well and the rosemary – generally temperamental when it comes to being wet and cold – is a great success.

Many people find rosemary difficult to establish, although most varieties are perfectly hardy. I am convinced it is not the cold that kills them, but a combination of wet winters and poor drainage. Maybe the stony beach at Holy Isle at least ensures no waterlogged roots! Once it gets going, rosemary provides a vigorous, evergreen, aromatic bush. The leaves are much favoured for roasting meat, especially lamb, and steeped in oil or vinegar, make a fabulously flavoured salad dressing. I do not find it the same at all when dried, and indeed when the shrub is in full leaf all year round, why would you bother with the dried herb?

Many people use essential oil of rosemary as a stimulating pick-me-up, and it does have medicinal properties used to treat tiredness, depression and poor circulation. Many bath oils contain rosemary, and it was a favourite of my mother, who would boil it up and make me rinse my hair in it. She would feel so vindicated if she could see how many rosemary hair shampoos and conditioners there are in shops now! My favourite way of using rosemary is among the decorations at Christmas time, an aromatic and nostalgic adjunct to holly and ivy and yew.

There are many varieties to choose from; trailing ones such as ‘Blue Rain’, fastigiated ‘Miss Jessup’s Upright’, pink-flowers or intense blue ones – but all may be used in the same ways and all are wonderful, must-have herbs for the garden.

And did I mention how much the flowers are enjoyed by bees and butterflies?

©Margaret Lear