Somers indicated that although the colonies in each of these populations are scattered along extended reaches of their respective river systems the pollinators for each population can travel readily between colonies. Since all colonies within each river system can interbreed, they are biologically just one population. All of the Kentucky colonies are along the South Fork Cumberland River in McCreary County. The Kentucky colonies therefore should, if the population definition used in Tennessee is followed, be considered part of the South Fork Cumberland River population of Tennessee. Specific areas supporting the species include boulder bars, sand bars, gravel bars, terraces of sand on gradually sloping river banks and islands and pockets of sand between large boulders on islands and stream banks.
Plants growing in full sun always produce more flowers.
Moderately deep, well-drained soils, consisting of pure sand or a mixture of sand and gravel with no visible organic matter. The three known naturally occurring populations of Cumberland rosemary all occur in close proximity to rivers on the Cumberland Plateau in north-central Tennessee and adjacent Kentucky. Many of these factors continue to impact the species and its habitat. Because the colonies inhabit only short river reaches, they are vulnerable to extirpation from accidental toxic chemical spills. Direct habitat destruction by recreational visitors to the species habitat is a significant threat to its survival.