Blackcurrant vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

Blackcurrant vs Northern Bayberry

Myrica pensylvanica

Ribes nigrum

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Northern Bayberry
Blackcurrant

Northern Bayberry makes an excellent hedge or feature shrub. It will retain its leaves in warmer climates but drops them in colder areas. They produce blue-grey berries that have a wax coating on them that can be used to make candles or soaps.

In colder hardiness zones the leaves turn an attractive orange to red colour in the fall, making it a striking addition to your landscape.

Northern Bayberry is native to Nova Scotia and tolerates both drought and wet conditions. It is also a nitrogen fixer that tolerates poor soil conditions.

Blackcurrant is a medium-sized shrub producing delicious, deep purple to black sweet berries suitable for jams, jellies, syrups and cordial.

Our Blackcurrant is grown from seed from the "Ben" series of Blackcurrant cultivars, developed by the Mylnefield Research Station in Scotland with a focus on cold hardiness and heavy commercial fruit production. Our seedlings will be slightly different due to hereditary differences but will be very similar to this series.

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

Blackcurrant Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $11.79 - SAVE UP TO 26%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no
Berries: blue-gray
Berries: dark purple to black berries
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none



Toxicity: Warning: The wax from bayberry fruit is considered toxic and may be carcinogenic.

Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub
Other Names: european black currant