The Right Place
Bog rosemary is extremely hardy. It can withstand winter temperatures in even the northernmost reaches of the United States and into Canada (zone 2). It does not care for heat, though, so it does best in those northeastern states where summers are cool.
Planting Nursery Stock
Locate bog rosemary in a mostly sunny area. It will tolerate some shade during the day. As its name suggests, this tough little shrub must have damp, even soggy, soil to thrive. It is perfect for the area in the yard where soil drainage is poor, or near springs, bogs and low-lying areas. This is one plant that will survive floods. It likes fertile soil that is very acid (pH 4.0 to 6.0), having no tolerance whatsoever for alkaline soil. Moist soil with plenty of Canadian sphagnum peat moss in it is ideal.
These shrubs are difficult to cultivate so are available mostly at specialty nurseries. However, they transplant very well because they have shallow, creeping roots. Purchase stock that is either in a container or has its roots in a ball of soil and wrapped in burlap. Specimens from 8 to 15 inches tall are a good size for transplanting. Be sure to keep the shrubs very moist until planting time. Then remove the shrub from the container or wrappings, taking care to keep the soil around the roots. Dig a hole wide enough and deep enough to accommodate the roots and soil ball. Set the plant into the hole, taking care to assure that the top of the rootball is level or slightly above the soil level. Fill in around the shrub with soil, firming it gently around the stems. Be sure the soil is continuously moist around this plant.
For more information see file on Planting Shrubs.
