Dainty flowers impressive in a cluster

The delicate beauty of this wee shrub inspired Swedish naturalist and explorer Carl Linnaeus to name it after Andromeda, the beautiful Greek mythological princess.

Low growing and evergreen, Andromeda polifolia is sometimes referred to as bog-rosemary, alluding to the habitat it grows in and the narrow rosemary-like leaves. The leaves are actually twice as wide as they first appear as the edges are rolled inward. Flowers are typical of the heath family — globose and pendulous and carried in clusters. Individual flowers are small and dainty but when produced en-masse they make a stunning display. Native to northern parts of the northern hemisphere, Andromeda grows in bogs or where there is a lot of peat, its spreading stems creating self-layering carpets.

In cultivation, it is hardy but needs plenty of moisture in the soil to succeed. Being quite variable in the wild, selections have been made and cultivated to display some of those variations; for instance, differences in leaf and flower colours. Several of these cultivars are flowering in the rock garden with both pink and white flowers. Andromeda polifolia ‘Nana Alba' can be seen near the north bridge and has pure white flowers. Another with a hint of grey in its leaves is A. polifolia ‘Compacta' sporting delicate pink flowers, whereas the flowers of ‘Compacta Alba' are white. These are both growing near the waterfall on the bottom path.

See these and many other garden treasures during a free tour of the rock garden and theme borders on Wednesday October 16 at 5.30pm. Meet at the information centre in the lower Botanic Garden.

Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden. For further information contact Robyn Abernethy.