African Rosemary

Eriocephalus africanus

An excellent, evergreen shrub for the dry garden, it blooms from early winter well into summer, the whole shrub becoming covered with purple-eyed, white flowers loved by bees, followed by fluffy seed heads looking much like cottony wool or snow! While not related to rosemary, this plant has a remarkably similar taste and scent, but traditionally is used medicinally for such ailments as cough and cold, and also as a diuretic and diaphoretic. It can be used in cooking and for making soaps and potpourris. Deer resistant.

Water: Light, very drought tolerant

Hardiness: Frost Hardy

Habit: An evergreen shrub 3' tall by 3' wide

Light: Full Sun

Soil: Prefers well-draining soil, though it does tolerate some clay

Origin: South Africa

Additional Characteristics: Deer Resistant

African Rosemary