No, there are typically considered to be more than two types of rosemary plants when classifying them by growth habit and characteristics.
While you might broadly categorize plants in various ways, common classifications for rosemary (scientifically known as Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) include distinctions based on how they grow and their cold tolerance.
Common Classifications of Rosemary Types
Based on growth patterns and other traits, rosemary varieties fall into several categories. The provided reference highlights some of these key distinctions:
- Trailing Varieties: These types cascade or spread along the ground, making them excellent for containers, hanging baskets, or growing over walls.
- Creeping Varieties: Similar to trailing, these plants spread horizontally, often forming a low mat.
- Upright Varieties: These are the most common types, growing into a more traditional shrub shape, taller than they are wide.
- Hardy Rosemary Varieties: While hardiness can apply to both upright and spreading types, some varieties are specifically noted for their increased ability to withstand colder temperatures.
Growth Habit Examples
Let's look at how these types differ visually:
- An upright rosemary might grow several feet tall and wide, forming a bushy structure.
- A trailing or creeping rosemary will spread outwards, potentially covering a large area but staying relatively low to the ground.
| Type | Growth Habit | Common Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Upright | Grows vertically into a shrub | Culinary gardens, hedges, standalone plants |
| Trailing | Spreads horizontally, cascades | Containers, hanging baskets, ground cover |
| Creeping | Spreads horizontally, forms a low mat | Ground cover, rock gardens |
| Hardy | Varies (can be upright or spreading) | Areas with colder winters, landscape planting |
Therefore, grouping rosemary into just two categories (like upright and spreading, or culinary and ornamental) simplifies things, but a more detailed look, as shown by types like trailing, creeping, upright & hardy rosemary varieties, reveals more than two distinct classifications.
