Cape Snowbush – Plant

Indigenous to the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Namaqualand, Wild Rosemary (also known as Cape snowbush) has thin needle like, grey leaves, which smell like Vicks when crushed. She flowers in Winter with small white flowers from which fruits form that look like snow or cottonwool.

Wild rosemary is well-known in cooking, cosmetics and as a medicine plant and is an excellent shrub for the waterwise garden or balcony.  She is invigorating and uplifting,  antiseptic and antiviral. Therefore, Wild rosemary is a popular ingredient in soaps and shampoos. As a remedy she can help prevent wounds becoming infected as well as aiding bleeding to stop and can help to prevent viral infections such as coughs, colds, and flu.

Her aroma can uplift one’s mood, while relieving feelings of stress and anxiety and is commonly enjoyed in cooking, just as the more familiar European rosemary is.

Wild rosemary prefers full sun and well drained soils. She is a fairly hardy plant that is a wonderful addition to most  biodiversity gardens and balconies.