2 named cultivars

shrubN. America Native

Cumberland Rosemary

The Story

Plant Bio

Conradina verticillata, Cumberland rosemary, is a low broadleaf evergreen subshrub native to a small area of the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee and Kentucky, growing one to two feet high and about as wide. Stiff needle-like dark green leaves cover shaggy red-brown stems, and small pink to lavender lipped flowers open in late spring and early summer.

It is a federally threatened species in the wild, confined to a handful of river gravel bars, so nursery-propagated plants are the only ethical source. The aromatic foliage works as a rosemary substitute in cooking. It wants sharp drainage and poor sandy soil, and rots quickly in rich, moist or heavy ground.

Uses & Benefits:

Fine aromatic evergreen foliage on shaggy red-brown stems, with pink-lavender flowers in early summer.

Thrives on poor dry sandy soil where little else will, and the leaves substitute for rosemary.

A rare Appalachian native that supports pollinators, and worth growing to reduce pressure on wild populations.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

18 inches

Width

18 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee and Kentucky

Toxicity

Non-toxic; leaves used as a rosemary substitute

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun in sharply drained sandy soil.
Avoid rich, heavy or moisture-retentive ground.
Water while establishing, then only in drought.
Do not feed; poor soil suits it far better.
Trim lightly after flowering to keep it dense.
Buy nursery-propagated plants, never wild-collected.

Pro Tip

Treat it like a Mediterranean herb rather than a native perennial — poor sandy soil and no feeding is exactly what it wants.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it sharp drainage and poor soil 🌱
Plant it in full sun ☀️
Trim lightly after flowering ✂️
Buy nursery-propagated stock only 🏷️

Don't

Plant it in rich or moist ground ❌
Feed or mulch it heavily ❌
Buy wild-collected plants ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Check Drainage
Trim

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock garden and gravel plantingDry sunny bank and slopeNative and pollinator garden

Companion Plants

Little Bluestem Butterfly Weed CoreopsisPrickly Pear Creeping Phlox

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Cumberland Rosemary questions

What zones can Cumberland Rosemary grow in?

Cumberland Rosemary is hardy in USDA Zones 5–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Cumberland Rosemary deer resistant?

Yes — Cumberland Rosemary is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Cumberland Rosemary bloom?

Cumberland Rosemary typically blooms in late spring to early summer through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Cumberland Rosemary need full sun?

Cumberland Rosemary does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Cumberland Rosemary drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Cumberland Rosemary handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.