Irene Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Irene') | Trailing Ground Cover Rosemary

Irene Rosemary

1 Gallon

$16.90

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Irene Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Irene'

A prostrate rosemary with trailing habit, aromatic foliage, and profuse violet-blue flowers, perfect for cascading over walls.

$16.90

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Irene' (also sold as 'Renzels') is a prostrate, fast-growing evergreen shrub prized for its cascading habit, intensely aromatic foliage, and profuse violet-blue flowers. This low-growing rosemary forms a dense, spreading mat of slender, soft, dark green, needle-like leaves that radiate from trailing, woody stems, releasing a strong, classic rosemary scent when brushed. The leaves are edible and widely used in culinary dishes, herbal teas, and infusions, as well as for essential oils. From late winter through spring, and often sporadically into summer, it produces an abundance of small, two-lipped, tubular, deep violet-blue flowers that are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. With its excellent tolerance for heat, drought, salt spray, deer, and poor soils, and its vigorous, trailing habit, it is an outstanding choice for cascading over walls, ground cover, slopes, rock gardens, containers, and as a low, informal hedge.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Slender, soft, dark green, needle-like leaves with strong rosemary fragrance; small, two-lipped, tubular, deep violet-blue flowers in late winter through spring .
Mature Height: 12-24 inches (1-2 ft)
Mature Spread: 6-8 ft (trailing/spreading)
Growth Rate: Fast
Hardiness Zones: USDA 8-10 ; Sunset 4-24, H1, H2
Light Requirement: Full sun (essential for best growth and flowering)
Core Benefits: Prostrate, trailing habit, aromatic culinary foliage, profuse violet-blue flowers, drought, heat, salt, and deer tolerant.
Best Uses: Cascading over walls, ground cover, slopes, rock gardens, containers, hanging baskets, coastal gardens, low hedges.

Q: How large does Irene Rosemary get?
A: It is a low-growing, spreading plant, reaching 1-2 feet in height and spreading 6-8 feet wide over time.

Q: How is Irene Rosemary different from upright rosemary?
A: It has a prostrate, trailing habit, making it ideal for cascading over walls and as a ground cover, unlike upright rosemary varieties that grow as tall, bushy shrubs.

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: For the densest growth, best flavor, and most abundant flowers, plant in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily).

Q: How much water does it need?
A: Once established, it is highly drought tolerant. Water regularly during its first year, then little to no supplemental water is needed.

Q: Is it deer resistant?
A: Yes, the aromatic foliage is generally resistant to deer and rabbit browsing.