Woody > Andromeda > Andromeda polifolia > Andromeda polifolia
Andromeda polifolia
Bog Rosemary
Mike's
Opinion
"
Andromeda polifolia makes a wonderful groundcover, especially for rock gardens or even in pondless waterfall designs. The light pink flowers give a delicate ambiance to this small shrub with the berries also quite similar in colour.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Ericaceae |
| Genus |
| Andromeda |
| Species |
| polifolia |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 2-9 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 2-5a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -46 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -50 |
| Height |
| 65 cm |
| Spread |
| 95 cm |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Low, creeping evergreen with blue-grey coloured leaves and pink urn-shaped flowers. Creeping root stocks and vertically arching, thinly branched stems, becoming more open and flat with age. |
| Cultivation |
| They are best planted in a shaded rockery, favouring a moist, well-drained, acidic environment. Will withstand any frosts and prefers a cold climate. Prefers very light shade but tolerates full sun if moisture is sufficient. |
| Shape |
| Low growing neatly rounded groundcover. Spreads by creeping rhizomes. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Narrowly lanceolate leaves with distinctly rolled edges; 2.5-5 cm long. Foliage is a blue-green colour above, and nearly white below. The sharp tips on its leaves that point upwards are a distinguishing feature. |
| Pests |
| Pests do not often occur with the Bog Rosemary. Powdery mildew can develop and will appear as white spots on the upper surface of the leaves. Leaf spot and rust may also be a problem. |
| Habitat |
| Frequently found in sphagnum bogs in the cooler environment of the Northern Hemisphere. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Red/brown in colour; may become finely shredded over time. Twigs are slender, pale green in youth turning brown as it ages. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Small, ovate, nearly white colour, about 4 mm in size. |
| Leaf Description |
| Simple, alternate, evergreen, linear-oblong shaped leaves. Glaucous; blue-green to dark green colour. Undersides of leaves are tomentose and almost white. Leaves are 3-4 cm long. Leaves seem narrow due to their slightly re-curved entire margins. |
| Flower Description |
| Clumps of soft pink to purple-pink hanging bell-shaped flowers that are 0.5cm long. Flowers are produced at the tips of the shoots in 2 to 8 flowered umbels. |
| Fruit Description |
| Dry dehiscent fruit produced from a compound pistil. Has a diameter of 0.5cm. Initially a pale green/blue colour, changing to a brown colour as it dries out. |
| Colour Description |
| Retains its blue-green colour throughout the seasons. Younger stems have brown bark turning a grey brown colour with age. |
| Texture Description |
| Foliage can have a leather-like texture to it, although the overall effect of the plant is fine textured. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Sifton Bog, London, Ontario. |
| Propagation |
| Semi-ripe cuttings 5-7 cm long with a heel should be taken in July/August. IBA talc or solution at 8000 ppm in a poly-tent. With a growth temperature of 21-24C is ideal. |
References
Canadale Nurseries, St. Thomas, Ontario.
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