‘Santa Barbara’ is a spreading form of Rosemary with deep green foliage and growing to approximately 30cm high and 2m wide. The foliage is highly aromatic and is mixed in with masses of attractive blue flowers from early winter to mid spring. Like most Rosemaries, ‘Santa Barbara’ likes full sun, good drainage and plenty of air movement. If it is given these conditions the plants are extremely hardy and are tolerant of most frosts and extended dry periods. Regular applications of Seasol and PowerFeed plus a dose of gypsum or dolomite lime in spring and if it gets a bit large then prune back to size prior to feeding.
As a groundcover Santa Barbara makes a good mass planting or can be grown over banks, walls and terraces. It will hang down from a large tub and makes an interesting underplanting for standard roses. Plant with Lavenders, Heucheras and Salvias to get a year round, colourful garden.
