Having trouble remembering where the car keys are? Grab a sprig of rosemary. It has a reputation for improving memory. Like most herbs, this Mediterranean native has a rich history in folklore. In the Middle Ages rosemary was used to protect against evil spirits. If placed beneath your pillow, it would ward off bad dreams. Today, rosemary symbolizes love and remembrance. Traditionally, sprigs are scattered on the grave of beloved family members to show that they will not be forgotten.

Wild rosemary can be found growing along the coast of Italy, Greece, Spain and France. Its fondness for the seaside played a role in its name, which comes from the Latin ros (dew) and marinus (sea) or “Dew of the Sea”.

A perennial evergreen in warmer regions, here in the Midwest we treat rosemary as a tender perennial. While it can be grown from seed, it is easiest to go with seedlings. Seeds germinate very slowly, and germination rates tend to be low at least in my experience. If you start a plant from seed, sow the seeds indoors 8 to 12 weeks before the last frost of spring.

Northern gardeners often grow rosemary in a pot so they can overwinter it indoors. To keep this fragrant herb happy indoors, place in a cool, sunny location where the humidity is high. Rosemary can dry out quickly in our heated homes during the winter, leading to brown leaf tips and die-back. Despite this, keep the soil on the dry side.

Depending on the variety, rosemary can be an upright shrub or a creeping plant. Both are used for cooking. Rosemary has a distinctive sharp flavor. It can be used fresh or dried and when properly preserved it will retain much of its flavor and fragrance.

Rosemary pairs well with many different foods. Harvest leaves just before use. Keep in mind that the flavor of rosemary often gains strength the longer a dish cooks.