wetland shrub
Wild Rosemary
Andromeda polifolia
Native to the Midwest and the Northeast and Canada
Circumpolar in northern America, south to Alberta and British Columbia; reported from Washington and Bonner county, Idaho
- Light Full sun to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist to wet Moisture preference
- Zones 1–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jun–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland shrub for sun through shade and consistently moist to wet soil. At up to 3 ft, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 1–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee
also Tricolored Bumble Bee, Osmia steinmanni, Halictus leucaheneus +1 more
Bilberry Mining Bee - Butterflies Moorland Clouded Yellow also Boloria frigga saga, Incisalia irioides
- Moths Epelis truncataria
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Eastern pine elfinnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Midwest and the Northeast and CanadaUnited States (19): AK, CT, ID, IL, IN, MA, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WA, WI, WV. Canada (13): AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Circumpolar in northern America, south to Alberta and British Columbia; reported from Washington and Bonner county, IdahoThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- Moist to wetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 1–8 · Canadian 0–8The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Organic peats, sands and mucksThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- AcidicThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~2 ft (0.6 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- SlowA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jun–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, PinkThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- Poisonous if eatenWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.