I purchased a very nice potted Rosemary bush yesterday and when I was transplanting it from the container, the roots were extremely tight, over grown and the roots are rust colored. HELP, what's wrong?
Yes, Rosemary plants are very prone to becoming root-bound, and the rust color could be something as simple as the soil content or mineral content of the water used for watering. When you transplant it, you can take gardening shears, a hand-shovel or even an old kitchen butter knife and make very light diagonal "hashes" across sides and bottom of the root bundle to loosen it up a bit before placing it in the new soil. These plants like to stay a little bit on the dry side, so if the roots are very wet, watch your watering for a few days and it should be fine.
These articles may also help you:
This bush has been in a large stock waterer with deep soil and good drainage for at least five years. It faces east for full morning sun, is in zone 8, protected from strong north winds, and gets primarily rainwater except in drought conditions when we do water it. These past few months, it has developed large dead sections, brown dry leaves, so that now about half the plant is gone. As far as we can tell, nothing has changed. It shares the tank with oregano and a chive plant, all of which are thriving. The only other plant around it is a very large pecan tree that does shed its seed clusters in that area. Any ideas what is causing this or what to do?
The pecan tree - unless it's new - shouldn't be causing any stress, and since you haven't moved the plant for several years, it may be showing the early signs of root rot, especially if you've had more rain than usual this season. This article may help you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/rosemary/brown-rosemary-plants.htm
You can also do some light pruning to see if that helps: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/rosemary/rejuvenation-of-rosemary.htm
My question is about my rosemary plant, which is large and lush and is able to withstand winters but it is splaying all over the place: horizontally. Is there way I could safely get it in upright position by bringing all major branches together?
Well, it depends. First, it may simply be a variety that grows downward or outward rather than upward. There are a few prostrate varieties like this. If you don't feel this is the case, then it is just a matter of pruning.
Just start pruning away any growth that does not go in the direction that you want (but no more than 1/3 of the plant). This will have a 2 fold effect. First, it will remove growth than is not going in the direction you would like, second, it will encourage secondary buds to grow, most of which will grow upright.
Wait until spring to do this kind of pruning. It can harm the plant to prune in fall or winter.
My rosemary bush has grown to 9 foot tall and 5 ft wide. Is this common?
That's amazing!
4 foot high would be a normal max height for Rosemary.
I read the article on rejuvenating and cutting back rosemary when it starts to get woody looking. I have a question about the note in the article though. Note: For most people who grow rosemary, the plant will go through a cold period and it is not a good idea to prune any herb, rosemary or otherwise, shortly before or during cold because it will cause the plant to grow new shoots, which are very vulnerable to cold damage. In warmer areas where rosemary is more apt to grow to the size in which rejuvenation pruning is needed, the plant is not experiencing the same killing cold, so winter pruning while it’s in dormancy is best. That being said, for those of us NOT living in such areas, stick to spring pruning after the threat of frost has passed. I live in Lewisville, TX (Zone 7b but on the border with 8). We can get snow in the winter but not usually until Jan/Feb and not even every year. Would I be one of the areas when spring would be a better time to prune? Thank you, Reagan
You could prune in Winter months with no problem.
I would also suggest propagating your trimmings for new plants!
Here is a link with more information.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/rosemary/how-to-propagate-a-rosemary-plant.htm
What would cause the tips of leaves on my rosemary to curl?
Rosemary plants can be sensitive to watering.
The tips of the plants is where you may first see an indication of an issue.
Too much or too little can effect and even kill a plant, and it can happen quickly.
The links below will refresh you on the care requirement.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/rosemary/growing-rosemary-plants-rosemary-plant-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/rosemary/watering-rosemary.htm
I am looking for a name to a dried branch I saw some years ago that, when dry, removed the musty smell from a basement/or room. Any thoughts would be welcome. The branch did look like a dried yucca stem with dried flowers.
My best guess would be Rosemary, though many Herbs retain their oils and fragrance after drying and can help with musty smells.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/rosemary/harvesting-drying-rosemary.htm