Hi everyone. Could anyone tell me if my rosemary plant looks healthy in the photo below? I ask due to the fact that it has turned reddish brown and has had almost no new growth at all. I trimmed it a couple months back in hopes to encourage new growth but I haven't seen any improvements. I planted it back in early May into a 4"x16" rectangular planter with organic potting soil that tends to hold alot of moisture. I'm wondering if the soil has been to moist for it. Yesterday my husband and I transplanted it to our flower garden in hopes that this will encourage it to grow a bit before the falls first frost. When we removed it from the planter the root ball was very large and looked healthy. There were so many roots that they were even trying to grow through the holes at the bottom of the planter. I would also like to ask if the rosemary would be safe staying in our flower garden all winter? We live in WV, in zones 5 and 6, and I would like to try my best at keeping this little plant alive for use next spring. If we need to bring it indoors for the winter then what care do you recommend for it?
I'm wondering if the soil has been to moist for it. If there's one thing Rosemary does NOT like, it is soil that doesn't drain well, they HATE wet feet. As to whether or not it will overwinter in your area, check with your local nurseries, certainly out on the left coast I have no problem overwintering it, but mine are in a well-drained raised planter.... and I'm only zone 8....
Well, it certainly looks stressed. I do not find my rosemary plants object to living in rich soil in a well watered garden, although to be fair the soil drains well (OTOH, it also stays quite moist as it has a huge organic content). I do find that some rosemary plants like to sulk after transplanting. I would put it in a nice, mostly sunny spot and see what it does next year. I am betting it will find its feet and grow well in its second season. If not, try another variety! Some specimens are just duds.
