Question From: Goleta, California, United States
Q: Hello Nancy, I have spreading Rosemary as a ground cover. When do I keep them cut back flat, maybe only 6" from the ground. I want to keep them like a lawn and they are now this way and looks so beautiful. I cut them back in February, can I cut them back in summer or is it best in Spring, or winer? My landscaper said I can set my lawnmower on highest setting and mow it over, but I used a hedge clipper before. The mower would be greater???? Thx, Luci
A: Luci, I garden in Michigan, where rosemary is not hardy so I have no experience with it as a landscape plant. Here we recommend pruning shrubs in late winter to early spring. Plants often go dormant when temps rise above 90 degrees to conserve energy and moisture. I would not prune your rosemary in the heat of summer. As for the lawnmower method, I know that ground covers such as Ivy are renovated this way, but I'm not so sure about shrubs. Branches cut off so short they have no live needles left will not regrow. I'd take photos of the growth ( closeups) to a garden center or nursery that sells these plants to get advice. The stand may look like a disaster when your finished and take months to regrow. Also. Google "how to prune Rosemay for more advice. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
