Bog rosemary
Andromeda polifolia · Ericaceae
📷 Giuseppe Frizzi · Public domain
⚠️ Chiens et chats : glycosides cardiactifs dans toute plante, ingestion cause troubles cardiaques graves. Humains : même risque toxique majeur.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around bog rosemary and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, narrow and leathery
- Flowering
- April to May, pale pink flowers in drooping clusters
- Adult size
- 0.5 m in height
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15°C
- Origin
- Peatlands of Northern Europe and Asia
- Soil type
- Acidic, moist and well-draining
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Andromeda is ultra-hardy but strictly acid-loving: acidic soil is essential. Keep moisture constant, avoid drying out.
The common mistake
Planting it in neutral or chalky soil: it yellows and struggles.
The pro's trick
In chalky regions, grow it in a pot with good acidic compost (peat + blonde peat): move it outside gradually from May onwards, bring it in from October.
Care
Watering
Andromeda appreciates constantly moist substrates but without waterlogging. During active growing season (spring-summer), keep the soil fresh with regular watering. In winter, reduce water intake but never let the substrate dry out completely.
Light Exposure
Install this plant in dappled shade or filtered light for optimal development. It tolerates full sun in cool, humid climates, but in warm regions, partial shade is preferable to prevent foliage drying out.
Soil
Andromeda demands an acidic soil (pH 4 to 5.5) rich in organic matter. Enrich the soil with heather soil or white peat to recreate peatland conditions. Effective drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Pruning
Little pruning is necessary. Simply remove dead or damaged branches after flowering. Light shaping can be done in late spring without ever cutting drastically, as this plant has very slow growth.
Fertilizing
Very modest feeding is sufficient. Use a diluted liquid fertilizer for acid-loving plants in spring, only once or twice. Excessive feeding risks harming the plant and promoting disease.
Diseases and Pests
Andromeda is generally hardy against diseases. Watch for spider mites in dry conditions and root rot if there is excess stagnant moisture. Good air circulation and adequate drainage limit these issues.
Did you know?
Andromeda takes its name from Andromeda, the princess of Greek mythology, referencing the delicate beauty of its drooping flower clusters resembling jewels. This small ericaceous plant is a true botanical relic of peatlands, persisting since the glacial period in humid northern zones and preserving fragile ecosystems of great biological richness.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.