Bog rosemary Andromeda polifolia
Bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Ericaceae family, native to Peat bogs across the Northern Hemisphere. It grows 10–40 cm (4–16 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -45 °C (-49 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Bog rosemary in your garden →
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Bog rosemary at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Mature height | 10–40 cm (4–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 3.5–5.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -45 °C (-49 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 2) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Peat bogs across the Northern Hemisphere |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇴 Norway |
Is Bog rosemary toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: leaves, all parts
Contains grayanotoxins: poisonous if eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bog rosemary
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Mountain laurel: Mountain laurel and rhododendrons are hosts of Phytophthora ramorum (sudden oak death), which spreads from infected foliage between neighbouring plants. Evidence B
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
Questions about Bog rosemary
- How far apart should I plant Bog rosemary?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Bog rosemary need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bog rosemary need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Bog rosemary?
- It tolerates about -45 °C (-49 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 2.
- When does Bog rosemary flower?
- From about May for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Bog rosemary poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. Contains grayanotoxins: poisonous if eaten.
- What grows well with Bog rosemary?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bog rosemary. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Norwegian species and red-list information, Artsdatabanken
- VASCAN: Database of Vascular Plants of Canada, Canadensys / Université de Montréal Biodiversity Centre
Notes and assumptions
- Blue-grey leaves and clusters of pink urn flowers; for a bog garden with peat-free acid compost and rainwater.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- American cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
- Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus
- Satsuki azalea Rhododendron indicum
- Japanese andromeda (pieris) Pieris japonica
- Heather (ling) Calluna vulgaris