From my roots deep in the chilly soil, I feel the world above is frozen and still. I am dormant, a woody little shrub conserving every ounce of energy. My leaves are evergreen, but my growth has ceased entirely. There is little for you to do now. Please ensure my bed is well-drained; cold is tolerable, but my crown will rot if I sit in soggy, frozen earth. A blanket of mulch, like straw or leaves, is welcome to protect my roots from severe temperature swings, but do not smother me.
The sun’s angle changes, and its warmth begins to seep into my soil. I am starting to sense the lengthening days. My internal systems are slowly awakening. Towards the end of March, as the frosts become less frequent, you can gently remove any winter mulch. This is an excellent time to assess my shape. If I am an established plant, you can prune away any dead or overly woody stems. This will encourage fresh, tender growth from my base as the season truly begins.
The soil is warming, and the spring rains provide ample drink. This is my time to shine! I will put on a great deal of new, fragrant growth. You can begin harvesting my leaves regularly now, which only encourages me to become bushier. If you wish to propagate me, this is the perfect moment to take softwood cuttings from my new growth. Plant them in well-draining soil, and they will readily develop their own roots. Ensure I get full sun, at least six hours a day.
I adore the heat and the sun. These are my prime growing months. My tiny flowers may appear, attracting bees and other pollinators—a happy sight. While I am drought-tolerant once established, prolonged dry spells will stress me. Please provide a deep watering when the top few inches of soil are dry to the touch. I despise wet feet, so let the soil dry out between drinks. Continue to harvest my sprigs regularly to maintain a compact, tidy shape and prevent me from becoming too leggy.
The intense heat begins to wane, and the nights grow cooler. My growth rate will slow down significantly. This is your last major chance to harvest my leaves for drying or freezing. Please refrain from heavy pruning now, as any tender new growth I am forced to produce will be too vulnerable to the coming frosts. Allow me to harden off and prepare for dormancy. You can add a light layer of compost around my base to provide slow-releasing nutrients for the spring.
As frost becomes a regular occurrence, I withdraw my energy back into my core. My above-ground growth largely stops. Once the ground has frozen in colder regions (USDA zones 5 and below), it is time to tuck me in for the winter. Apply a loose, breathable mulch, such as evergreen boughs or straw, over my crown. This is not for warmth but to prevent the freeze-thaw cycles from heaving my roots out of the ground, which would be fatal. In warmer zones, I may remain semi-evergreen and require little to no protection.
