Unrelated to true rosemary, this low growing evergreen shrub is native to cool regions of North America where it is found in wet sites such as bogs and swamps. The plant spreads by creeping rhizomes The stems are wiry and bear leathery blue-gray leaves that are glaucus beneath and resemble those of true rosemary. One to five pink or white bell-shaped flowers are borne in nodding terminal umbels in early summer. Each flower is 1.4 – 1/3” long and has five lobes. The fruits are a many seeded round capsule. The genus name, Andromeda, comes from Princess Andromeda of Greek mythology who was chained to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster until the hero Perseus rescued her on his horse Pegasus. The specific name, polifolia, refers to the grayness of the leaves.
Type: Evergreen shrub
Outstanding Feature: Flowers
Form: Spreading
Growth Rate: Moderate
Bloom: Terminal umbels of 1-5 pink to white, bell shaped flowers in summer
Size: 16” H x 24” W sun to part sun
Soil: Wet, highly acidic
Hardiness: Zones 2-6
Care: Low maintenance
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Seed in spring; softwood cuttings in early to mid-summer; pot suckers.
Karen Meyers