Bog Rosemary, is a low, evergreen shrub or ground cover in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family. Growing from 8 inches to 3 feet in height and, in its native state, typically found in bogs. The shrub does not have many branches, but many shrubs will grow together to form a clump. The plant prefers a well-drained, moisture-retentive, lime-free, humus-rich soil and shade.Wet soils are tolerated well. It does not do well in heat and humidity and locations south of Zone 6. Plants spread slowly by means of suckers to become a very ornamental plant. The small, firm, narrow leaves are blue-green. Leaf margins roll under. Several small, bell-shaped, pink or white flowers occur together in a curved umbel at the tip of a branch. Bog Rosemary is one of several heath shrubs similar to Sheep Laurel, Bog Laurel, and Labrador Tea. Plant in a border front, or along a stream or pond margins, or in a rain garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests. Does require acidic soil.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Dense; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Shrub leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple, narrow, leathery, sharp-tipped, and whitish below.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Bell; Urn
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Blooms in June and July, several small, bell-shaped, pink or white flowers occur together in a curved umbel at the tip of a branch in terminal nodding clusters
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Brown capsule with no ornamental value.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Northern (sub Arctic) Europe, Asia, and North America
Distribution
Northern temperate regions of Europe and North America.
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
non-edible, poison
Uses (ethnobotany)
In ome cultures, the tender leaves and shoot-tips are boiled as an aromatic tea
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Pond; Riparian; Slope/Bank; Woodland
Landscape theme
Pollinator Garden; Rain Garden; Water Garden
Design feature
Border
Garden tags
#poisonous #summer flowers #pink flowers #woody #evergreen #groundcover #flowers early summer #flowers late spring #shrub #wet soils tolerant #riparian #pond margins #border planting #border front #water garden #rain garden #slopes #boggy sites #pollinator plant #woodland
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans
Resistant to
Insect Pests; Wet Soil
Propagation
Seed; Stem Cutting
Poison severity
Medium
Poison parts
Bark; Flowers; Fruits
Poison symptoms
A toxin, called 'andromedotoxin' can be released from the plant if it is infused in boiling water causing watering of mouth, eyes, and nose; loss of energy, slow pulse, vomiting, low blood pressure, lack of coordination, convulsions, and progressive paralysis.
Toxic principle
Andromedotoxin
Contact dermatitis
No
Toxicity summary
Medium severity poison; parts: Bark; Flowers; Fruits