This new outstanding cultivar of Rosmarinus officinalis is what many garden designers have been asking for; A reliable spreading rosemary with strong blue-violet colored flowers. Use Irene® as a groundcover or let it spill over a wall. As with other rosemary, this cultivar is drought resistant and has few insect pests.

We still love Santa Barbara's own Rosemary that was named for local landscape architect Lockwood de Forest with its large pale blue flowers but if the desire is for a richer and darker colored look, then Rosemary Irene® is the answer. See a comparison picture with Rosemarinus 'Lockwood de Forest'.

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Renzels' (Pat. # 9124) Irene® was discovered by Garden Designer and Rock Wall Artist, Philip Johnson. Phil noted the plant as a spontaneous seedling hybrid growing in a clients garden. The plant was affectionately named for Princess Irene (AKA Renzels), Phil's Black Labrador. The plant is patent protected (U.S. Plant Patent No. 9,124) with all unauthorized propagation prohibited

Here's what some who have used this plant have to say about it.

"Irene® is a long awaited answer in the search for a prostrate rosemary that has excellent color. It is a pleasure to have a drought tolerant, pest resistant ground cover that you can rely on for a significant color display."

"The plants more than exceeded expectations for growth, and the color was even darker than expected."

"Irene® is the next step towards perfection in ground cover rosemaries. We now have the benefits of a low ground cover with brilliant floral color."