Question
About this time each year my rosemary bush forms small, white, sappy like balls.  I've trimmed it back, destroyed the branches, but it returns the next year.  This year it is on almost every stem and too many to count.  What causes this, and what can I do to eliminate it?  Thank you for an answer.  I love the bush, but really dislike the white gooey stuff.

Answer
Dear Mary, Yuck!  It sounds like you have been invaded by spittlebugs.  Spittlebugs are little bugs that are growing and developing inside the balls of froth all over the rosemary.  They like the rosemary because of its woody stems.  The best way to control them is actually by a hard stream of water forced onto the balls to dislodge them and expose the bugs.  You could probably also spray with Spinosad (an organic compound) and get pretty good results, but you would probably have to spray several times because of the density and protection of the froth balls.  Unfortunately cutting it back probably won't help much.  You just likely have them in your area.  They are most active and visible in late summer and autumn, so several weeks of diligence in battling with these pests could really help by this time next year.  I hope this information helps.  They are a real nuisance and somewhat hard to control, but at least they don't do too much real damage.  The water and Spinosad spraying should help you a great deal.  Good luck,  Melissa