Salvia, Rosemary 'Gorizia'

I don't completely trust the zone 5 rating...however, it did survive in my yard this last winter (2011-12) without ANY fussing or winteri...Read Morezing.

I would describe my back yard area as a zone 6b micro-climate. The temperature might even be closer to zone 7 most times. It is densely packed residential with house foundations no more than 20' in any direction. That being said, there is more moisture than most Mediterranean regions get in early spring. I think that fact has the most damaging effects on plants like rosmarinus.

I have my rosemary planted in a region of my yard that is slightly elevated, bordered by sidewalk & driveway, and VERY rocky. It stays quite dry most of the time. With the exception of a "normal" spring.

In the winter of 2010-11 I had three plants, planted in the same locations, and they lived well into the first half of February. When the spring rains came and the temperatures began to fluctuate with thawing and rain, then hard freezing...all three plants died in late February/early March.

It is my belief (which I intend to test this winter 2012-13) that the moisture in my EARLY spring is too much. Especially combined with the subsequent freezing. In the event of "normal" precipitation in winter and early spring, I intend on covering them to divert ALL snow and rain from that entire bed.

Other plants that thrive in that bed.... Rosa 'Pope John Paul', sage 'Tricolor', sage 'Icterina', Snapdragons (bought as annual but come back from roots)

Very attractive shape. The flavor is excellent for cooking. Long, straight stems are quite sturdy.
As far as hardiness goes, I d...Read Moreon't know about the zone 5 rating, the tag from the nursery which came with the plant indicates its hardy down to 0 degrees. But that is still excellent for Rosemary!

ETA:
This past winter we had a very cold spell. The overnight temperature got down in the teens and we nearly had a foot of snow that stuck for more than a week. This rosemary survived with a little bit of damage on the tips, but bloomed nonetheless.