Rosemary at the Shakespeare Garden

“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance,” from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is a quote familiar to many. In Shakespeare’s time, rosemary was highly valued, serving not just as a symbol of memory but also as a versatile herb used in cooking, floor strewing, and medicinal remedies. When grown on arbors and walls, its sturdy stems were even used to make lutes.

The 17th-century poet Robert Herrick wrote of rosemary, “Grow it for two ends, it matters not at all, Be it for my bridal or burial.” Indeed, rosemary was a common feature at both weddings, symbolizing love, and funerals, symbolizing remembrance. According to folklore, its fragrance and color are said to have originated when Mary placed her cloak over the plant. Rosemary appears in five of Shakespeare’s plays, most notably as a foreshadowing symbol in Romeo and Juliet.

The botanical name Rosmarinus is a reference to its beautiful blue flowers and its origin along the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. Rosemary is considered an evergreen perennial in zones 8 through 10, though it is often grown as an annual in cooler climates. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, releasing its strong, aromatic scent wherever it is planted. The plant is easily propagated by cuttings, layering, or seeds.