This is a sweet interesting and pretty little shrub in the garden when it is in full flower. Growing up to 40cm high and about 30cm wide its dense foliage is topped in late spring early summer with clusters of light pink bell shaped flowers all over its small form.
It is very hardy with dense, strong, wiry thin stems and evergreen leaves forming a round cushion form although in warmer climates it is a little more open. As its common name suggests it grows in damp peaty soil so when planted in the garden it needs damp peaty like soil well mulched to keep the ground evenly moist all year round. It’s great for a damp rockery or front of a cool border.
The umbrella like cluster of pink bell shaped or urn shaped flowers are similar to Lily of the Valley flowers. They are pendant or hanging and quite fragrant appearing in late spring or very early summer. They are bee and butterfly friendly.
The leaves are evergreen, long, stiff, leathery, and narrow and curved at the edges making them appear very narrow. They are about 15mm long and 3mm wide and have veins easily seen on the upper surface and white tomentose hairs beneath. They resemble Rosemary leaves but are not related.
Growing in damp, peaty partially shaded areas it will grow well. It may need a little trim from time to time.
Carl Linnaeus observed this plant in 1732 on an expedition to Lapland. It grows naturally in Artic regions in the Northern Hemisphere, including Britain, in boggy peaty acid soils on moors and in woodlands. It belongs to the Ericaceae Family.
He compared the plant to Princess Andromeda of Greek mythology who was known for her beauty and was chained to a seaside rock as a sacrifice for the sea monster and Perseus flew into on his winged horse Pegasus to save her Hence its name Andromeda. Polifolia means grey-leafed in reference to its leaves. (see Carl Linnaeus drawing below.)
Andromeda polifolia ‘Compacta’ is a compact form of Andromeda polifolia and there are references to a white flowered form Andromeda polifolia ‘Alba” and a compact white form Andromeda polifolia ‘Compacta Alba’.
In the literature there is reference to other Andromeda species but these have been reclassified into other genus’s.
Andromeda polifolia ‘Compacta’ was awarded the Award of Garden Merit in 1941 by the RHS.