Useful bog rosemary

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32612, 21 May 1971, Page 11

Useful bog rosemary

At one time many plants were known as andromeda. These have long since been classified as distinct genera although one still hears them referred to by theif old name.

Only two species now comprises the genus andromeda, and they are polifolia and glaucophylla. The latter was once not recognised as a distinct species. The plants are commonly referred to as bog rosemary.

The following were once known as andromeda: Cassandra, cassiope, enkianthus, leucothe, lyoina, oxydendron, pieris, and zenobia. All belong to the family ericaceae. The flowers of bog or marsh rosemary are reminiscent of the lily of the valley. They are produced in clusters at the end of the shoots from late spring—pale pink in Andromeda polifolia and a deeper shade in the glaucophylla. Both are rather straggly growing, though rarely attaining more than 18in to 2ft in height. The leaves are small, alternate and dark green in polifolia, and somewhat larger on the glaucousfoliaged other species. Variability of leaf size is largely responsible for the appearance of a number of named varieties.

These attractive little plants are very useful additions to rock or bog garden and any places where the soil does not dry out. As can be imagined from the family to which they belong to, they enjoy a lime-free soil, preferably with the addition of leaf mould or peat. They make a useful association with such plants as rhododendrons and azaleas. They do not need regular pruning and can be propagated from seed, cuttings or from the numerous basal shoots produced.