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Myrica gale (Bog myrtle)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1.5m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Myrica gale
Other names
Bog myrtle, Sweetgale, Common candleberry, Devonshire myrtle, Dutch myrtle , Gale, Golden osier , Meadow fern, Moor myrtle, Sweet willow
Genus
Myrica Myrica
Species
M. gale - M. gale is a suckering, thicket-forming, deciduous shrub with upright branches bearing lance-shaped, aromatic, toothed, grey-green leaves and yellow-brown male catkins in spring followed by spherical, dotted, yellow-brown fruit.
Myrica gale is: Deciduous
Habit
Suckering, Upright
Flower
Yellow-brown in Spring
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1.
Propagation methods
Layering, Seed, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Myrica gale (Bog myrtle) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, City, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moist or boggy, humus-rich, acid soil in sun or partial shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Myrica gale
Other names
Bog myrtle, Sweetgale, Common candleberry, Devonshire myrtle, Dutch myrtle , Gale, Golden osier , Meadow fern, Moor myrtle, Sweet willow
Genus
Myrica Myrica
Species
M. gale - M. gale is a suckering, thicket-forming, deciduous shrub with upright branches bearing lance-shaped, aromatic, toothed, grey-green leaves and yellow-brown male catkins in spring followed by spherical, dotted, yellow-brown fruit.
Native to
Europe, North America
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Suckering, Upright
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Colour
Flower
Yellow-brown in Spring
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1.
Propagation methods
Layering, Seed, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Myrica gale (Bog myrtle) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, City, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildlife
Cultivation
Grow in moist or boggy, humus-rich, acid soil in sun or partial shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3, Zone 2
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
M&G Investments, the title sponsor of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, commissioned designer Andy Sturgeon (Best in Show winner 2010 and 2016) to create this incredible garden. read more
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