Rosmarinus Officinalis 'Pink'

Rosemary 'Pink'

Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis 'Pink'
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Mediterranean region
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Pink' is a tidy, upright rosemary that brings soft blush-pink flowers and classic aromatic foliage to South Australian gardens. It thrives in Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate, giving reliable structure year-round and a welcome flush of colour and nectar in the cooler months. Ideal for low-maintenance borders, hedging and feature planting in courtyards or coastal sites.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 1–2 m H x 1–1.5 m W (naturally upright, dense)
• Growth Rate: 20-40 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Aromatic, fine, deep to mid-green leaves; neat branching habit
• Flowers: Soft blush to pale pink blooms mainly late winter–spring, with occasional autumn spot flowering
  
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen structure year-round with peak cool-season flowering
• Wildlife Value: Nectar-rich flowers that attract bees and other pollinators
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; Heat- and Coastal-tolerant; Light frost tolerant (to about –5 °C); Wind-tolerant; copes with improved clay where drainage is added
• Planting Density: Hedges: 2–3 plants per metre; Shrub borders: 1 plant per metre (dense) or 1 per 1.5 m for a looser effect
• Pet Friendly: Yes — non-toxic to dogs & cats

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to light part shade
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay loam; avoid waterlogging (add gypsum/coarse grit on heavy soils)
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Mulch in spring; prune after flowering or late winter to shape (avoid cutting into old wood); light organic feed in early spring
• Lifespan: 15-25 years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
• Soil pH: Neutral to Alkaline

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Soft, colour-toned hedging along paths, driveways and kitchen gardens
• Mass plant for cohesive, low-maintenance structure; pair with blue-flowering rosemaries for contrast
• Feature near entries and outdoor living spaces; also suits larger pots

Why You Will Love It

A beautiful twist on classic rosemary, ‘Pink’ delivers soft pastel blooms, fragrance and year-round form with very little fuss. Tough, water-wise and bee-friendly, it thrives across Adelaide—from coastal gardens to suburban courtyards—while staying neat and easy to shape.