ANZAC Day is this Friday, it’s a meaningful day for us Australians and New Zealanders as we take time to honour the sacrifice that has been made by our servicemen & women throughout our short history.
There’s a beautiful traditional where gardeners plant Gallipoli Rosemary, a variety of rosemary that has been associated with ANZAC Day, remembrance, and resilience. During ANZAC Day services you’ll often see rosemary sprigs worn on lapels and placed at memorials to honour the fallen soldiers.
Gallipoli Rosemary is a drought tolerant shrub that is native to the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. This variety serves as a living connection to the soldiers who fought in the area during World War 1.
How To Grow Rosemary
Our climate and well-draining soils here in Brisbane are great for growing rosemary, including the Gallipoli variety.
Rosemary thrives in full sun, so when choosing a spot to plant your rosemary make sure to choose a place that gets six to eight hours of sun each day. Rosemary also grows brilliantly in pots, which makes it a perfect plant for balconies and patios.
As we said before, rosemary loves well drained soil. So, if your soil tends to hold water we recommend mixing in some organic matter such as Rocky Point ActivGrow® Soil Enhancer to improve your drainage.
Once your Rosemary is established it’s a very drought tolerant plant. We recommend watering it when the top few centimetres of soil are dry, avoid overwatering it especially in the cooler months as this can cause issues. To keep your rosemary growing beautifully for years to come, we recommend trimming it back after flowering, this will encourage new growth and keep it looking great. Rosemary doesn’t require much fertiliser, we recommend giving your rosemary a light feed with a slow-release fertiliser each Spring.
So, this ANZAC Day why not consider adding a Gallipoli Rosemary to your garden. Not only does it look beautiful in your garden and provide a wonderful fragrance, but it is also a useful herb in your garden. Let its scent remind you of the sacrifices that were made to protect our nation.
