Hill Hardy

Hill Hardy, sometimes sold as Madalene Hill, is a cold-tolerant upright rosemary named for Texas herb expert Madalene Hill, who selected it for winter survival. Similar in hardiness to Arp, it forms a well-branched upright shrub of 3 to 4 feet with narrow green leaves and light blue flowers. Gardeners value it for combining reliable culinary quality with the ability to overwinter outdoors in colder zones than tender Mediterranean types tolerate. Its strong pine-and-camphor flavor suits roasting, grilling, and baking. Hill Hardy is a good structural and culinary choice for herb gardens in transitional climates, and its long bloom period supports bees and beneficial insects in a permaculture setting.