Wild rosemary, or Ledum, draws interest from many gardeners. Learning about its traits, growing needs, and locations in Russia is useful. Identifying its bloom and bush appearance helps.
It's important to tell it apart from maralnik, a similar plant. Exploring Far Eastern, pharmaceutical, and white wild rosemary types is also key.
Wild rosemary has other names. Some call it bugleweed or marsh rosemary. It's part of the heather family and Ericales order. It has relatives like cranberry and rhododendron. Other kin include actinidia and camellia plants. Touch-me-nots and clethra are in the family too. Also related are two loosestrife types and ebony wood.
East of the Urals, "wild rosemary" often means rhododendrons. True wild rosemary is an evergreen shrub. Its leaves grow in a regular pattern. The leaves have smooth edges. They are often leathery and curled.
Wild rosemary's leaves, branches, and flowers smell strong. Its seeds and pollen also add to the scent. This strong smell comes from its essential oil. In the sun, mainly by fall, wild rosemary leaves turn brownish-brown.