Bog Rosemary (Andromeda polifolia )
 (Read 100+ times)
By Glory Lennon
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Andromeda polifolia is a little known sun loving, low growing, flowering, evergreen shrub which prefers highly acidic soils on the moist side. Its common name, Bog Rosemary, should tell you without much difficulty how important water is for it or at the very least where it is likely to dwell, namely along rivers and streams or in boggy areas.
Andromeda is named after the wife of Perseus the hero of Greek mythology and like that Andromeda this little plant is most difficult to keep content in the average home landscape. However if you have in your yard the exact conditions it requires, with not much effort it would most assuredly make a great addition to your garden.
Although Andromeda is quite cold hardy, to USDA zone 2 it dislikes areas with warm humid summers and can barely make it in zones warmer than 6 if not provided with a bit of afternoon shade and ample water. It will not tolerate any drought whatsoever so don’t even think about this plant if you live in excessively arid regions. Mulch is a must.
Since Andromeda has a growing habit somewhat like Heathers and Heaths it can be quite useful and lovely in rock gardens provided it gets enough moisture. It is also excellent as a ground cover, in borders, to include in bog gardens or when planted alongside ponds and streams.
Andromeda most often reaches 4-6 inches in height and may go up to a foot or two but almost never higher. The branching can be erect or spreading with leathery, slender foliage between a half inch and 2 inches long. The upper side is a dark green with the underside a grayish blue and in some varieties almost white.
Although Bog Rosemary resembles the culinary herb Rosemary from which it gets its common name it should not be ingested. It has been known to cause dizziness, vomiting, respiratory problems and dangerously lower blood pressure. It is strictly for ornamental purposes which shouldn’t be a problem as it is particularly attractive in spring when in bloom.
The tiny flowers ( about one quarter inch wide) which grow in small clusters on short sprays can be creamy white, pale pink or even dark pink. They can be shaped like bells, urns or almost completely round depending on cultivar.
In perhaps the most ornamental of the Andromeda cultivars “Blue Ice” the tiny, urn shaped blossoms growing in sprays along the stems are a very pretty, bright pink which contrasts nicely with the dark blue-green foliage.
The cultivar “Grandiflora” sports the largest creamy white or bright pink flowers and gets to 12 inches tall. Foliage is greyish blue-green.
“Nana Alba” has grey-green foliage, white bell shaped flowers and grows to 24 inches tall and 8 inches wide.
“Compacta Marsh” is a cultivar that grows about 12 inches high with an 8 inch spread and sporting pale pink flowers in the shape of globes. Foliage is a blue-green color.
If you are planning a rock garden, have a swampy area where nothing else grows or are in need of a groundcover for a consistently moist soil do consider Andromeda Polifolia. This unusual plant will be the talk of the neighborhood and make your yard look extra special.
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
 Short Stories @ Helium: http://www.helium.com/users/32782/show_articles
How to create your own backyard bird sanctuary: http://www.helium.com/zone/2884-how-to-create-your-own-backyard-bird-sanctuary
Violet’s in Bloom, a romance novel: http://www.helium.com/zone/3012-violet-in-bloom-a-romance-novel-by-glory-lennon
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