Rosemary branches

[stella]

I have just been given 2 large rosemary branches with loads of leaves on and small flower buds. Please help what can I do with them?
Can I take cuttings (I dont have a bush) if so how,is it to late/early?
If I dry the leaves will they keep their smell and I can use them as dried herbs?
Or any other ideas please

[Capsid]

Put them in a glass of water and they will root readily, then transplant them in to pots ready for planting out in a bed.

[stella]

The whole branch or bits of it. They are very large.

[sarraceniac]

Tear about a dozen 'twigs' off and pop them in water. I say a dozen because it is really the wrong time of year but some should strike. Then, hang the rest of the branches upside down in a carrier, which you should leave open for air, in a warm, airy place to dry. You should then have enough to last until you can harvest your own.

[jackyspratty]

I took rosemary cuttings last year, and they survived the snow. I took the ends off of branches and stripped the lower leaves to expose the stem. Put the stem straight into compost. A small pot with the cuttings around the edge. All are doing well. Thats for later in the year though, have never done it this time of year.

You can also bruise some of the leaves by hitting the leaves with a heavy objest or hammer, put them in a net bag or whatever and hang under your tap in the bath, get in, lay back.... relax... breathe deeply... aaaah!
Rosemary also makes a good hair rinse, infuse some bruised leaves in hot water, strain and use as a final rinse on your hair. Lovely, especially good for dark hair

[sarraceniac]

use as a final rinse on your hair. Lovely, especially good for dark hair

Is it any good for red heads? Cos I've got no hair, just a red head.

[northepaul]

I took a cutting from my friends rosemary in July last year and stuck it directly in the ground. Forgot about it for a few months, remembered, took a look just after the snow and have a small bush there now!!
Must be pretty hardy to do that in my horrid acidic stony soil!