Bog Rosemary Andromeda polifolia
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- an-DROM-eh-dah pol-ih-FOH-lee-ah
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Bog Rosemary, is a low, evergreen shrub or ground cover in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family. Growing from 8 inches to 3 feet in height and, in its native state, typically found in bogs. The shrub does not have many branches, but many shrubs will grow together to form a clump.
The plant prefers a well-drained, moisture-retentive, lime-free, humus-rich soil and shade.Wet soils are tolerated well. It does not do well in heat and humidity and locations south of Zone 6. Plants spread slowly by means of suckers to become a very ornamental plant.
The small, firm, narrow leaves are blue-green. Leaf margins roll under. Several small, bell-shaped, pink or white flowers occur together in a curved umbel at the tip of a branch.
Bog Rosemary is one of several heath shrubs similar to Sheep Laurel, Bog Laurel, and Labrador Tea.
Plant in a border front, or along a stream or pond margins, or in a rain garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests. Does require acidic soil.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Ice'
Intense slate blue leaf color. - 'Nana'
Dwarf habit, perhaps no taller than 18 inches.
- 'Blue Ice'
- 'Blue Ice', 'Nana'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Ice'
Intense slate blue leaf color. - 'Nana'
Dwarf habit, perhaps no taller than 18 inches.
- 'Blue Ice'
- 'Blue Ice', 'Nana'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Andromeda
- Species:
- polifolia
- Family:
- Ericaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- In ome cultures, the tender leaves and shoot-tips are boiled as an aromatic tea
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern (sub Arctic) Europe, Asia, and North America
- Distribution:
- Northern temperate regions of Europe and North America.
- Edibility:
- non-edible, poison
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Brown capsule with no ornamental value.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Urn
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Blooms in June and July, several small, bell-shaped, pink or white flowers occur together in a curved umbel at the tip of a branch in terminal nodding clusters
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Shrub leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple, narrow, leathery, sharp-tipped, and whitish below.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Insect Pests
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- A toxin, called 'andromedotoxin' can be released from the plant if it is infused in boiling water causing watering of mouth, eyes, and nose; loss of energy, slow pulse, vomiting, low blood pressure, lack of coordination, convulsions, and progressive paralysis.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Andromedotoxin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
