Ledum palustre L., along with large-leaved, creeping and other species, belongs to the genus Ledum. But to this day, Russian and Western botanists still have disagreements regarding its belonging to a specific family. In Russian publications, this plant is classified as a member of the Heather family (Ericaceae), and in foreign publications – as a member of the Rhododendron family.
People call it bagoon, swamp, bug. There are eight species of wild rosemary, common in the temperate and arctic climate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. The most common wild rosemary in our country is bog rosemary.
Check out the photo and description of marsh wild rosemary, and also learn about its use for decorative and medicinal purposes.
Description of the marsh wild rosemary shrub
Evergreen, strongly fragrant shrub, 20-125 cm high. Young shoots with rather thick red pubescence. Leaves are alternate, linear-oblong or linear, length (1.5) 2-4 (4.5) cm and width 1.5-4 mm, overwintering, with entire edges curled to the underside, on short ones (about 3 mm ) petioles, dark green above, shiny, below, especially along the midrib, reddish pubescent. The flowers are white, five-membered, rather large (petal length 4-8 mm), collected at the ends of the branches in a multi-flowered corymbose inflorescence.
As you can see in the photo, the pedicels of the marsh wild rosemary are thin, reddish pubescent, and glandular:
The fruit is an oblong-oval, dark, slightly glandular-pubescent capsule, 4.5-5 mm long. Blooms in May - July; the seeds ripen in July - August.
Ledum flowers emit a strong intoxicating smell, so in hot, windless weather you can get “drunk” in its thickets. Brewers and innkeepers sometimes took advantage of the intoxicating properties of wild rosemary, adding it to beer for greater “hopiness.”
Similar types:
Creeping wild rosemary - L. decumbens (Ait.) Lodd., native to extreme northeast Asia. The description of this wild rosemary is similar to the marsh species, but it has creeping shoots, smaller [up to 1.4 (2.5) cm in length] leaves with strongly curled edges and few-flowered inflorescences with smaller petals (3.5-5 mm long) .
Far Eastern large-leaved wild rosemary - L. macrophyllum Tolm. distinguished by thick branches covered with brown bark, more large leaves(2.5-8.5 cm long and 4-18 mm wide), very crowded during flowering and spaced, elongated inflorescences during fruiting.
Wild rosemary - L. hypoleucum Kom., also found in the Far East, is distinguished by straight, thick branches and white-tomentose pubescence on the undersides of the leaves.
Where does marsh wild rosemary grow?
This is a hypoarctoboreal Eurasian species. It is found in forest and tundra zones of the European part of Russia, Western and Eastern Siberia, and the Far East. Distributed from the Southern to the Polar Urals (excluding highlands), north of the Arctic Circle it grows in forest-tundra woodlands and swamps. It is found in sphagnum bogs, peat bogs, and swampy coniferous forests.
Widely distributed in the forest belt of South-Eastern Altai. On the northern slopes, under the canopy of wild rosemary-lingonberry larch forests, blueberry-bilberry larch forests and blueberry-lingonberry larch forests, it is one of the dominants of the herbaceous-shrub layer. Often it also enters the lower part of the Alpine belt. It descends along river valleys into the lower half of the forest belt. Most often and with the greatest abundance, wild rosemary is found in cedar and wild rosemary larch forests, in pine forests and wild rosemary-lingonberry larch forests.
The species is included in the Red Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
Growing and propagating wild rosemary
Marsh wild rosemary is frost-resistant and unpretentious, it takes root well in gardens, however, in order for this plant to develop and please the eye with its flowering, you must follow some techniques for caring for it.
When growing this plant, you need to choose the right place in the garden, given that it loves bright light or diffused light. Wild rosemary will look great against the background coniferous plants: spruce, pine, thuja.
Ledum is planted in a permanent place in the spring, having previously prepared a planting hole about 40 cm deep. It is worth considering that the root system of the plant is located at a depth of 20 cm. When planting several bushes, you need to leave a distance of 60 - 80 cm between them.
The planting hole is filled with a mixture of peat, forest soil, pine needles, and sand. Ledum can grow on any soil, including poor and sandy ones, but it develops better in areas with high acidity (pH - 3-4). It does not tolerate compacted soil or prolonged drought.
To the bottom landing pit It is recommended to pour a drainage layer (7 – 10 cm) of broken bricks. After landing seat cover with mulch of pine bark or pine needles and systematically care for the plant. Ledum responds well to feeding mineral fertilizers, which must be applied at least 2 times a year (spring and autumn). In hot, dry weather, the plant is watered abundantly, the soil is loosened and mulched with peat to retain moisture. When loosening, one must not forget about the roots located close to the soil surface and carry out this work carefully.
To prevent wild rosemary from losing its decorative properties, dried leaves and branches are cut off.
With proper care, this species can grow up to 30 years. Does not require shelter for the winter.
Reproduction of wild rosemary is carried out using seeds and cuttings. Cuttings are cut in summer, after which they are kept for 24 hours in a heteroauxin solution (0.01%). Then the cuttings are washed clean water and planted in a small container. Callus on the treated cuttings will appear by autumn, and the root system will form the next year.
When propagating by seeds, only fresh seed material is taken.
Application of marsh wild rosemary and grass harvesting
Marsh wild rosemary is used for landscaping the area, since this plant does not require special effort when propagated and at the same time perfectly decorates the garden landscape.
The plant is also used for medicinal purposes. Ledum herb preparations (infusion, “Ledin”) are used as an expectorant and antitussive for acute and chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, whooping cough, as well as in the complex treatment of bronchial asthma and bronchopneumonia (only as prescribed by a doctor). They also have a diuretic and disinfectant effect due to the effect of arbutin and essential oil on the urinary tract.
Marsh wild rosemary is a strong spring honey plant. It is well visited by bees. Blooms from late May to mid-June. One wild rosemary flower releases 0.22 mg of sugar in nectar per day. He lives for 2 days. Honey productivity of 1 ha of wild rosemary is up to 87 kg. Monofloral wild rosemary honey has an intoxicating effect. If it is heated in a water bath at a temperature of 70 °C for 30–40 minutes, it loses its narcotic effect. Usually, the content of wild rosemary in forest honey is low, and it does not have toxic properties.
The leaves of wild rosemary, like black root, are laid out near the burrows and the entrance holes are clogged with a phytoncide plant. Ledum is rich in essential oils that intoxicate and repel rodents. Animals leave their shelters and never return there.
The use of wild rosemary as an insecticide is also effective. Its leaves and stems, containing tannins, were used to tan leather. All parts of wild rosemary are poisonous.
Raw materials are collected in the fall (August-September). To do this, young, non-lignified shoots up to 10 cm long during flowering are cut and dried, dried in the shade in the open air or in dryers at a temperature not exceeding 40 ° C. Dry raw materials have a characteristic pungent resinous odor.
Repeated harvesting of grass in the same area is permissible no earlier than after 7–8 years. Harvesting woody two-year and three-year-old shoots is not allowed.
When harvesting wild rosemary, care should be taken, as the plant is poisonous and has strong odor, causing nausea, dizziness and headache.
Ledum is a perennial evergreen flowering plant belonging to the heather family, there are about ten species. Grows mainly in subarctic and temperate climate northern latitudes, in mountain thickets, cedar dwarf trees, found in our country. Marsh wild rosemary has been known for a long time; even the ancient Romans extracted resin from it - incense; this plant has a very strong odor and is dangerous to human health during flowering.
This is a shrub, which in adulthood can reach a height of up to one and a half meters, has a branched root system, a straight trunk, covered with regular oblong leaves. The branches are brown, covered with pubescence. It grows in swamps and swampy forests, has many names, bug, bagoong, hemlock, sleepy stupor and many other names that accurately characterize its aromatic properties.
Flowers of wild rosemary, white, sometimes pink color, form an umbrella and are located at the end of the branches. The flowering period occurs in May and June, and at this time it is quite dangerous for health to be near this shrub, as it emits a stupefying aroma that can cause headaches, even loss of consciousness. The plant is extremely poisonous, this applies not only to the flowers, but to the entire bush. There are several types of wild rosemary:
- Bolotny.
- Greenlandic.
- Large-leaved.
After flowering ends, fruits are formed that look like oblong boxes containing a large number of seeds. This is a cold-resistant plant, however, if the shoots remain uncovered by snow, they will die in the cold winter. The shrub grows in open meadows and has a smooth, trimmed crown, which looks beautiful during flowering, which occurs almost simultaneously. Because the wild rosemary long period growing season, then mass flowering occurs only once every four years. The photographs show wild rosemary flowers.
Gallery: wild rosemary (25 photos)
Description of wild rosemary species
This species mainly grows in temperate climates, its compact bushes can grow more than a meter. The surface of the branches is covered with dark green leaves with a shiny surface, pleasant aroma, the shoots are covered with short brown hair. In spring, the shoots are covered with small white or light pink flowers.
Greenland wild rosemary
It differs from other species in having rigid creeping stems; the leaves are bright green in color, linear and tightly adjacent to each other, which seem to be soft needles, lowered on the reverse side with a fine pile. The flowers are also collected in umbels of white and slightly yellowish color and are resistant to severe frosts.
Large-leaved wild rosemary
The growing area is mountain slopes and embankments, common in the Far East, Japan and Korea. This shrub has a height of 40 to 80 centimeters; the shoots have oval leaves, covered on the outside with thick red hair.
Wild rosemary
Or it is also scientifically called Daurian rhododendron; it is a rather branched plant that grows in height, maybe even up to two meters. Narrow dark green leaves densely cover the surface of the branches. Flowers, unlike other types of these plants, bloom with bright pink flowers; it is often used in bouquet arrangements; this is pink wild rosemary.
Chemical composition
Marsh wild rosemary, all of its leaves and branches themselves, contain essential oils, which determine its specific smell. The oils contain:
- up to 70% sesquiterpene alcohols, the main one is ice;
- Flavonoids;
- Tannins;
- Neomertillin.
In addition to these basic substances, shoots contain minerals, enzymes, amino acids, vitamins and other useful substances. Our scientists noted that even with long-term use drugs based on wild rosemary are not addictive, therefore, for some diseases, they can be used for a fairly long period of time.
Application of wild rosemary
Although wild rosemary is considered a poisonous plant, it has found wide application in the manufacture of drugs in folk and conventional medicine. Thanks to chemical composition This plant is used as a bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, diaphoretic, wound healing and expectorant.
The plant is used in medicinal preparations:
Issued medical supplies based on wild rosemary in:
The components of this plant, grass, flowers and shoots, have long been used in folk medicine. Decoctions, water infusions are prepared from it, alcohol tinctures, make drops, oil and ointments. Great Application Herbal mixtures containing wild rosemary were also found.
Other uses of wild rosemary
This plant is used not only as medicinal product, but also in everyday life:
- Dry leaves are used to fumigate rooms to get rid of flies and other insects, and to repel things from moths.
- The essential oil made from the plant is used in the perfume industry, soap making, and leather tanning.
- The plant is also used in veterinary medicine to treat animals.
Contraindications
The use of this shrub seems limitless, but for all its beneficial qualities, it also has a number of contraindications. Since this plant is poisonous, it is recommended to use it strictly according to the instructions.
Where does wild rosemary grow? This question is quite simple to answer, although it is undemanding to the composition of the soil, but prefers acidic and moist areas and tolerates frost well. When planted in a garden plot, it looks very beautiful, can be used as hedge, perfectly scares away garden plot flies and mosquitoes. It is also used to create a flowering landscape along the banks of rivers and lakes; it grows well on rocky embankments and under trees.
Plant propagation
Marsh wild rosemary propagates by seeds, layering, dividing the bush and cuttings, but this requires a certain skill.
Cuttings are carried out in the summer, ready cuttings immediately after cutting, place in special solution heteroauxin for a day, after which they are washed well and planted in prepared soil, which is typical for this method; the plant can only produce roots the next year.
When propagating by seeds in prepared soil, and it should be from garden soil mixed with sand, the consistency is loose and moist, the seeds are sown, which are collected in the autumn. The seeds are scattered over the surface, but not covered with soil on top, but lightly pressed down, after which the box is covered with film and placed in a cool place, periodically watering and ventilating. When seedlings appear, and this will happen about a month after sowing, it is advisable to plant the grown seedlings in separate containers, preferably peat pots.
They reproduce well garden plants and by layering, for this purpose, twigs are dug into the ground next to the bush, to a depth of at least two tens of centimeters, watered well, leaving the top on the surface. After it gives roots, it is separated.
IN spring period You can divide the root into parts, but to do this, the bush is dug up completely and washed well. The cut parts must be treated with charcoal powder and immediately planted in place for permanent growth.
Planting and care
Plants are planted in the spring, a hole a little more than half a meter is dug, a drainage of sand and small pebbles is laid at the bottom, a prerequisite is that the soil must be acidic and quite loose, you can add pine needles. After planting, the soil around the seedling is well compacted and watered abundantly. To protect the soil from drying out, peat mulching is used.
For good growth. several times during the summer, the shrubs must be fed with complex mineral fertilizers, the soil must be loosened, and weeds must be removed, but since the root system is located close to the surface, this must be done extremely carefully.
Ledum is practically not affected by any plant diseases, but sometimes spider mites and bugs can appear on it; insecticidal preparations are used to combat them.
As you can see, he will grow up beautiful and useful shrub It’s not at all difficult, the main thing is to carry out all the necessary activities correctly.
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Ledum in Latin is called Ledum, which is exactly the same term used to name a genus or subgenus included in the Heather family (Ericaceae). But if we rely on data from Western literature on botany since the early 90s of the last century, all species classified in this genus are included in the Rhododendron family. But such a judgment has not yet found support in Russian-language sources. All representatives of this plant association are distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, where a subarctic and temperate climate reigns. In total, according to The Planet List website (taken in 2013), there are only six species of wild rosemary, although scientists have described up to 10 varieties, with four of them found in the regions of Russia. It prefers to settle on moist soils along river arteries in mixed or coniferous forests and peat bogs.
| Family name | Ericaceae |
| Life cycle | perennial |
| Features of growth | Evergreen, shrub |
| Reproduction | Seed and vegetative (cuttings, layering or rhizome division) |
| Open ground planting period | Rooted cuttings, planted in spring |
| Disembarkation scheme | 50–70 cm between seedlings |
| Substrate | Fluffy, nutritious and sour |
| Illumination | Open area or partial shade |
| Humidity indicators | Drying the soil is harmful, but waterlogging is not a problem |
| Special requirements | Unpretentious |
| Plant height | 0.5–1.2 m |
| Color of flowers | Snow white or light pink |
| Type of flowers, inflorescences | Umbrella or corymbose |
| Flowering time | April-June |
| Decorative time | Year-round |
| Place of application | Borders, ridges, rock gardens or rockeries |
| USDA zone | 3, 4, 5 |
If we take the Latin term "ledum", then the plant takes its name from the translation from the ancient Greek word "ledon" due to the fact that the dense foliage has a strong woody aroma. This brings it closer to incense, which serves as a raw material for the extraction of aromatic resin. But if we rely on the translation of the Slavic word “bagulnik”, then from Old Russian “bagulny” means “poisonous”, “intoxicating” or “stupefying”. It is popularly called ledum, bedbug, forest rosemary or bagoong, oregano, hemlock or bovine. All these names are given because of the persistent suffocating odor.
Ledum is a perennial that never sheds its foliage. It can grow in the form of a shrub or shrub, the height of which varies between 50–120 cm. The rhizome of the plant is superficial, characterized by branching with short root processes. This is what ensures the flow nutrients to all other parts. The stems that form from ledum are rigid and have a small diameter. The stems grow erect and can ascend or creep along the surface of the soil. The color of young shoots is olive-green, but they are covered with rusty pubescence; over time they become covered with bare dark bark.
Leaves appear alternately on the stems and never fly off. Their surface is leathery, the shape of the leaves is lanceolate or elongated, there is a raised vein in the central part, and the edge of the leaf blade is turned down. The color of the foliage is dark green, but if wild rosemary grows in bright sun, it takes on a brown-brown color. The same thing happens with the arrival of autumn days. When rubbed, a tart aroma is heard.
On last year's branches, with the arrival of April until June, inflorescences begin to form, shaped like umbrellas or shields. Each flower has a shortened peduncle. The calyx formed by the petals takes on the shape of a bell. The petals of the calyx are oval in shape, snow-white or pale pink in color. All elements in a flower are multiples of five. Flowers are bisexual. Pollination of ledum is carried out by insects, after which the fruits ripen, which are formed into boxes. When fully ripe, the boxes dry out and open from the very base to the top. Inside the fruit there is a division into five seed sections. The seeds that fill them are small in size, but they have wings that allow them to fly far from the mother plant.
In natural conditions, bagoong can cover the soil surface with a dense carpet, in the thickets of which lingonberries are found, while rare fruits of large size ripen. If there are places in the garden with wet soil, or there are banks of streams or rivers, then wild rosemary can be planted there. It will also do well on rocky embankments, rock gardens or rock gardens. You can use similar plantings to fill spaces under trees, but wild rosemary is more decorative in group plantings. Often, with the help of strip plantings of oregano, living fences are formed or the site is divided into zones.
Growing wild rosemary at home - planting and care in open ground
- Planting hemlock in open ground. Ledum planting is carried out in the spring, but if you purchased a plant that is already grown in a pot, then the period of placement in open ground is not of great importance. Since the bushes will grow in one place for a long time, the depth of the planting hole should reach 30–40 cm, despite the fact that almost the entire root system lies at a depth of no more than 20 cm. To create a group planting, it is recommended to maintain a distance between seedlings approximately 50–70 cm. A layer of 5–8 cm should be laid on the bottom of the hole drainage material. After the plants are planted, mulching is required.
- Place for planting ledum. The plant can feel great, as if open place, and in shading, only in the latter case will it lose a little decorativeness and growth will slow down slightly.
- Soil for oregano. Since wild rosemary is a marsh plant that prefers swampy places or coniferous forests, the acidity of the soil should be high. When planting hemlock in open ground, the hole is filled with a soil mixture of coniferous soil, top peat and coarse sand (in a ratio of 2:3:1). However, there are species of bugs that prefer depleted and sandy compositions. For such plants, some of the sand is taken more.
- Watering. Ledum easily tolerates waterlogging of the soil; drying out is harmful to it. Reacts negatively to substrate compaction. After each watering, loosening should be done in the root zone, but very carefully, since the root system is superficial.
- Fertilizers for wild rosemary. In order for soil acidity levels to be maintained at the same level, plantings need to be watered with acidified water once every 2–3 weeks. Feeding for bushes is necessary every year with the arrival of spring. Complete mineral complexes are used (for example, Kemira-universal or Pokon). During the period of April-May, 1.5–2 tablespoons of the drug are scattered around the ledum plantings. It is forbidden to fertilize with any organic matter (chicken droppings, manure, etc.), since the mycosis on the roots will die.
How to propagate wild rosemary?
To obtain new plantings of oregano, it is recommended to sow seeds, root cuttings, root suckers and layering or dividing an overgrown bush.
Seeds must be collected from fully ripened fruits that open independently from bottom to top. The seeds are collected in the fall, but they are sown with the arrival of spring. For planting, the substrate must be loose and moist and have high acidity. This substrate is placed in seedling boxes, mixed with coarse sand. The seed material should be distributed over the surface of the soil, only slightly pressed into it and watered. Then the box is wrapped in transparent plastic film and placed in a cool room. Caring for crops consists of regular ventilation and watering when the soil dries out.
After a month, you can see the first shoots, the shelter is then removed. When the seedlings get a little stronger and grow, they are planted in separate pots (it is recommended to use peat ones). Or planting is carried out in another seedling box, but leaving a greater distance between the young wild rosemaries. This is necessary so that the root system does not subsequently become tangled.
Vegetative propagation using layering is used. To do this, a flexible shoot is selected, carefully bent to the soil and fixed. In this case, you should dig a hole up to 20 cm deep and there you can secure the branch with a stiff wire, after which it is sprinkled with soil. The tip of the shoot should remain above the surface of the substrate. After it is noticed that the cuttings have taken root, they are carefully separated from the mother bush and planted in a prepared place.
With the arrival of spring, if the wild rosemary bush has grown too much, then it can be replanted and divided into parts. To do this, the entire plant must be dug up, the root system freed from the soil and cut into pieces with a sharp knife. But you shouldn’t make the divisions too small, otherwise they will take a long time to take root. All cuts must be sprinkled with wood or activated carbon. They try not to dry out the roots and immediately plant them in the chosen place.
When cuttings, semi-lignified shoots with 2–3 leaves are used. You can cut them throughout summer period. It is recommended to treat the lower cut with a stimulator (for example, Kornevin). The cuttings are planted in pots with loose and nutritious soil(peat-sand). Those leaves that are close to the ground must be completely removed or cut to half. Rooting of such hemlock seedlings usually takes a long time, so they will be ready for planting in open ground only with the arrival of next spring.
Possible difficulties when caring for wild rosemary
When grown in open ground You don’t have to worry about ledum plantings, since the plant repels any harmful insects with its aroma and active substances. And diseases are not a problem when growing these bushes. If the soil is not loosened, a fungus may develop, which is controlled with fungicides (for example, Bordeaux mixture). When seedlings are attacked by spider mites or bugs, they are sprayed with insecticides (such drugs can be Aktara, Actellik, Karbofos or the like).
Notes for gardeners about wild rosemary
You can understand why wild rosemary is placed indoors because of its tart aroma, which repels blood-sucking insects (this is why the plant is called bedbugs), and it can also ward off moths - the shoots are placed in closets to preserve fur and wool.
It is important to remember that wild rosemary is completely saturated with poison. After working with the plant, wash your hands thoroughly with soap. Not worth it for a long time stand next to ledum thickets, as its aroma can cause severe weakness and dizziness. Although wild rosemary is excellent honey plant, but its honey and pollen are unsuitable for use (very poisonous). These products can be used for food only in small quantities and after long-term heat treatment.
Ledum herb contains a lot of essential oil, which is mixed with tar and used in the tanning industry, and is also used to make soap and perfume products and a fixative in the textile industry.
Because aboveground part contains many active substances, then wild rosemary has long been needed traditional healers, and subsequently it was recognized by official medicine. Thanks to ascorbic acid and phytoncides, the collected grass works as an antiseptic or fights bacteria.
Based on this remedy, baths are taken and compresses are prepared; acute respiratory viral infections, coughs and intestinal infections can be treated. Healers also used ledum for many diseases: gastritis and eczema, chickenpox and skin problems, bronchitis and pneumonia, infusions based on it helped solve problems with the kidneys, liver and cholecystitis.
If a person has insomnia, then he is prescribed to drink tea with wild rosemary leaves. Women with gynecological diseases traditional medicine I recommended using oregano herb. At the same time, it is curious that in different countries healers (both folk and official) in different areas used this plant in their own way.
People who have allergic problems and intolerance to the components of the plant should not use preparations based on wild rosemary. Since such drugs increase the tone of the uterus, women expecting a child are strictly prohibited from taking them. Since ledum is poisonous, any treatment with its use should be carried out under the supervision of a physician.
Types of Bogulnik
Ledum palustre is also called Rhododendron tomentosum. The variety with the greatest distribution, preferring temperate climatic areas. The branches of the plant form a dense shrub with a height of 1.2 m. Root system located superficially, has mycorrhiza. Branched shoots grow raised, covered with pubescence of short rusty fibers. The foliage is dark green in color and has a pleasant scent. The shape of the leaf blade is lanceolate, the surface is shiny. The edge of the leaf is strongly bent down. In May or early summer, small flowers of white, sometimes pale pink color begin to bloom, from which umbrella or corymbose inflorescences are collected. The diameter of the flower is no more than 1.5 cm. The fruit is box-shaped, opening with 5 doors. The seed material fully ripens at the end of summer.
Greenland rosemary (Ledum groenlandicum). The native lands of growth are located in the regions of the north and west of the North American continent; it settles in peat bogs. Rarely cultivated, mainly such plants can be included in the collections of botanical gardens (for example, in St. Petersburg, Canada, USA, Riga or Germany). It is called Greenland Rhododendron (Rhododendron groenlandicum).
The shrub plant reaches up to 1 m in height with its branches. Their color is light brown. The foliage is oblong, bright green in color, and looks like needles. The length measures 2.5 cm. Reverse side twisted leaf with felt fleecy pubescence. When flowering, whitish or beige flowers with a diameter of 1.5 cm are formed. Umbrella inflorescences are collected from them. The flowering process is observed from mid-June to the end of July. By the end of September, the seeds ripen. Differs in moderate growth.
Large-leaved wild rosemary (Ledum macrophyllum). The territories of Eastern Siberia and the Far East are considered native lands. It prefers to settle in the undergrowth of mountain forests of coniferous trees; it is found in sphagnum bogs, on the edge of rocky places, among thickets of heather. Its branches reach 1.3 m. The length of the leaf plate is 3–4 cm with a width of 8–15 mm. The leaf shape is oval. On young shoots and on the back of the leaves there is a thick red hairy pubescence. Flowering occurs profusely, occurring from the second half of May to early June. Aging seed material observed in late summer or early September. The shoots lengthen by 3–4 cm annually, and occasionally such growth can reach 6–8 cm.
Video about wild rosemary:
Photos of wild rosemary:
Ledum – evergreen shrub from the Heather family. Its scientific name, ledum, brings it closer to incense, as the dense leaves also emit an intense woody aroma. The word “Ledum” is translated from the Old Russian language as intoxicating, poisonous, intoxicating. Sometimes the plant is called oregano, hemlock, bagula, bogolovnik. Its habitat is quite wide. It affects the Northern Hemisphere, in particular the temperate subarctic zone. Ledum is very often used in medicinal purposes, but can also be used for decorative garden decoration.
Appearance of the plant
Ledum – perennial shrub or a shrub 50-120 cm high. It is nourished by a branched superficial rhizome with short shoots. Rigid branched stems are no different large diameter. They can be erect, ascending or creeping. Young shoots are olive-green in color and covered with rusty pubescence, but over time they become covered with bare dark bark.
Leathery, short-petioled foliage persists throughout the year. It has an elongated or lanceolate shape with a raised central vein and edges turned downwards. The color of the leaves is dark green. In bright light it turns brownish-brown. The leathery leaves are growing again. When rubbed, they give off a sharp, intoxicating odor.
In April-June, dense umbrella inflorescences bloom on the shoots of the previous year. Each flower has a short pedicel. White oval petals form a bell-shaped calyx. The number of all flower elements is a multiple of 5. The wild rosemary is pollinated by insects, after which dry seed pods with 5 sections ripen. They contain small winged seeds.
Attention! All parts of wild rosemary are poisonous! After contact with the plant, be sure to wash your hands. Even just being near the thickets and inhaling the aroma, you can soon feel dizzy and weak. Although wild rosemary is a good honey plant, its pollen and honey are poisonous. You can try the product only after long-term heat treatment and in small quantities.
Types of wild rosemary
The genus Ledum has only 6 species of plants. Of these, 4 grow in Russia.
A typical representative of the genus, distributed in temperate climates. It is a dense bush up to 1.2 m high. Raised branched shoots are covered with rusty short pile. Dark green shiny leaves exude pleasant smell. At the end of spring, dense umbrellas or shields with white or light pink small flowers bloom.
Rigid lodging stems grow up to 90 cm in length. They are light brown in color. On the shoots, narrow linear leaves are located close to each other, like bright green soft needles. There is felt pile on the reverse side of the rolled leaves. During the flowering period, small (up to 6 cm wide) umbrellas with white or cream flowers bloom. The species tolerates even severe frosts excellently.
Occupant Far East, Japan and Korea grows 40-80 cm in height. It settles on rocky embankments and mountain slopes. The oval foliage is 3-4 cm long and 8-15 mm wide. There is thick red hair on the young shoots and the back of the leaves.
A few years ago, rhododendron was synonymous with wild rosemary. Until now, some gardeners refer to this genus, but in fact it is only a distant relative and has scientific name"Daurian rhododendron." The plant is also a highly branched bush 50-200 cm in height. The branches are covered with narrow, dense leaves of a dark green color. But the flowers have a rich pink tint. Often this “ledum” can be seen in a vase in a bouquet arrangement.
Wild rosemary
Reproduction methods
Ledum reproduces well by seed and vegetative ways. In nature, new plants often appear from seeds. They are collected from matured small boxes, which independently crack from bottom to top. From a distance, the achenes resemble tiny chandeliers. Seeds are collected in the fall, but only sown early spring. To do this, prepare containers with loose garden soil, mixed with sand. The soil should be loose and moist, and also have an acidic reaction. The seeds are distributed on the surface and only slightly pressed into the soil. Cover the container transparent material and put in a cool place. The greenhouse is periodically ventilated and watered. Shoots appear in 25-30 days. Grown seedlings are planted in separate peat pots or in another box with a greater distance so that the roots do not get tangled.
It is convenient to propagate garden plants by layering. To do this, flexible branches are tilted towards the soil and fixed in a hole with a depth of 20 cm. The top must be left on the surface. After rooting, the shoot is separated.
Large bush during spring transplant can be divided into several parts. To do this, the plant is completely dug up, freed from the soil and cut into sections. The cut areas are treated with crushed charcoal. The roots do not dry out and the seedlings are immediately placed in a permanent place.
For cuttings, semi-lignified shoots with 2-3 leaves are cut during the summer. The lower cut is treated with growth stimulants and the shoots are rooted in pots with loose and nutritious soil. The leaves closest to the soil are cut off completely or shortened sheet plate. Rooting and adaptation takes a long period, so seedlings are only transferred to open ground next spring.
Planting and care
Ledum belongs to unpretentious plants, so it doesn’t cause much trouble to the owners. It is best to plant in the spring, although this is not necessary for plants with a closed rhizome. Since the roots are located close to the surface of the earth, the planting hole is dug 40-60 cm deep. River sand or pebbles 5-8 cm thick are poured onto the bottom. The soil itself should be quite acidic and loose. It is advisable to plant bushes on moist soils with the addition of pine needles. If several plants are planted at once, the distance between them is 60-70 cm. After all work is completed, the soil is compacted and watered abundantly. Then the ground near the bushes is mulched with peat.
IN natural environment Ledum grows near bodies of water, so regular watering is of great importance. Irrigation is not needed only when there is frequent rainfall. Lighting for plants is not too important. They feel equally good in a sunny place or in partial shade. Even with strong shading, wild rosemary will not die, but it may look less decorative and bloom less often.
From time to time the ground should be loosened and weeds removed. However, do not forget that the roots are located close to the surface, so be careful. Several times per season (spring and summer) wild rosemary is fertilized mineral complexes. Pruning is carried out in March and October. Sprouts that are out of the desired shape are shortened, and dry and damaged branches are removed.
Winters are not scary for wild rosemary. It tolerates even severe frosts well, but in the absence of snow, young growth can freeze to the height of the snow cover. In the spring, it is enough to remove the damaged branches and young growth will quickly take their place.
Ledum is resistant to plant diseases. He is not afraid of soil flooding, but only with regular loosening. Without air access, the fungus can still develop. Very rarely, bedbugs and spider mites settle on the shoots. They are easy to get rid of using insecticides. More often, the plant itself scares away annoying insects, including from neighbors in the flowerbed.
Use in the garden
The dense crown with narrow dark green leaves and reddish pubescence looks very decorative in the garden. Ledum is suitable for landscaping wet soils, banks of ponds and rivers, rocky embankments, as well as space under trees. Plants look best in group plantings. Often, strip plantings are used as hedges or for zoning a site. Ledum can be accompanied by heather, cranberries, blueberries, rhododendron, wintergreen, stachys and cereals.
Useful properties
The leaves and flowers of wild rosemary contain many biologically active substances, recognized not only by folk medicine, but also by official medicine. Among them:
- essential oils;
- tannins;
- flavonoids;
- ascorbic acid;
- gum;
- phytoncides.
Since ancient times, the decoction has been used as an antiseptic and antibacterial agent. It was used externally, added to baths or compresses, and also drunk to combat coughs, acute respiratory viral infections and intestinal infections.
Tea with the addition of wild rosemary leaves soothes and fights insomnia. The plant copes well with diseases such as pneumonia, whooping cough, bronchitis, liver and kidney diseases, gastritis, eczema, boils, chickenpox, cholecystitis. The drugs are also useful for women's health. They strengthen muscles and fight sexually transmitted diseases. Moreover, in different countries the “specialization” of wild rosemary may differ.
They have plants and economic purposes. The smell of leaves repels blood-sucking insects and moths.
Ledum is contraindicated for people who suffer from allergies and are sensitive to the components of the plant. Since it increases the tone of the uterus, treatment is unacceptable for pregnant women. And of course, the dosage cannot be exceeded, so treatment is best carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
Signs and superstitions
Ledum grass is shrouded a large number legends, signs and superstitions, so many doubt whether it is worth keeping it in the house. Although some people are wary of wild rosemary, it is very useful, preventing the spread of pathogenic microbes in the air and healing the body. Of course, if you leave a lot of flowering branches in a small room, the household will be haunted by headache. Hence the sign that wild rosemary increases nervousness, irritability and brings trouble. But a couple of sprouts won't hurt at all. On the contrary, they will clear the atmosphere of negative energy and fill the room with a pleasant, unobtrusive aroma.
Greetings, dear friends!
The wild rosemary plant is traditionally associated with a rich, intoxicating and slightly suffocating odor, common in high bogs. Due to its rich biochemical composition, wild rosemary is used in medicine. But it is no less important for landscape design.
About growing wild rosemary in the garden and its use in ornamental gardening I'll tell you today.
Biological characteristics
In modern plant taxonomy, some changes have occurred and wild rosemary is now classified as a genus. But despite this, the culture continues to be called in the old fashioned way.
In nature, wild rosemaries are shrubs with branching, densely pubescent shoots up to 1 meter high. Leaf blades the plants are dense, leathery, covered with a thick waxy coating on top, 
and on the underside there is noticeable pubescence. Closer to winter, wild rosemary leaves turn brown and curl into a tube. This phenomenon is protective in nature against excessive transpiration.
In autumn, large flower buds. Thanks to this feature, wild rosemaries begin flowering very early - literally 10-12 days after the snow melts. The flowers of wild rosemary are small in size and have light shades in colors (white, light yellow, cream) and strong aroma, which attracts pollinating insects. If you spend a long time among wild rosemary plantations, this smell can cause mild dizziness and headache in sensitive people.
Growing wild rosemary
These plants are among the unpretentious. They can be successfully grown on poor sandy or loamy soils. They tolerate it well winter frosts and other extreme abiotic factors.
Some species, for example, wild rosemary, require additional watering in dry weather. But there are species (for example, creeping wild rosemary) that can withstand a lack of water in the soil for a long time.
Agrotechnical care for rosemary is simple and consists of timely weeding, early spring feeding and, if necessary, periodic watering.
After flowering on plants in large quantities capsule fruits are formed. To preserve decorativeness and stop the flow of nutrients to the fruiting organs, it is recommended to immediately remove fading flowers.
The plant is propagated by cuttings. This method is not particularly difficult and has no individual differences from.
Application of wild rosemary
All parts of the plant contain significant amounts essential oils, arbutin glycoside, tannins. In this regard, wild rosemary is used quite often for medicinal purposes. But when self-treatment It must be remembered that all plant organs are poisonous and therefore require careful use.
For gardeners, the main importance of wild rosemaries lies in their high decorative properties. Thanks to modern breeding work, several beautiful and unpretentious varieties. All of them special attention two varieties bred from the North American wild rosemary deserve merit:
Compactum
It has a dense crown of a compact cushion shape. The bushes reach 30-40 cm in height, and up to 80 cm in diameter. This variety is very different abundant flowering. The flowers bloom in a delicate light yellow color.
"Helma"
The plant habit of this variety has similar characteristics to the previous one. The differences lie in the color of the flowers; in the wild rosemary “Helma” they are white.
Conducting growing wild rosemary for landscaping the area, pay attention to wild rosemary. For cultivation, only the natural form is used, since this species does not yet have artificially bred varieties. Marsh wild rosemary is somewhat inferior to the previous species and its varieties in terms of flowering intensity, but despite this, it fits perfectly into any landscape. See you later, friends!