Purple Leaf Sand Cherry vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry vs Northern Bayberry

Prunus x cistena

Myrica pensylvanica

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
Northern Bayberry

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry provides bright reddish-purple leaves that turn bronze-green in the fall. In the spring, tiny flowers with a pinkish white hue bloom. The flowers are small, but the impact comes from the shrub blossoming all at once.

The Purple leaf sand cherry can be susceptible to pests and diseases in more humid areas; a typical life span is approximately 15 years. Not suitable for a privacy hedge on its own but is often alternated with lilacs. Often used as an accent plant that attracts birds and bees.

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.

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: the leaves and seed are slightly toxic

Toxicity: Warning: The wax from bayberry fruit is considered toxic and may be carcinogenic.
Foliage: purple leaves
Fall colour: dark red
Bark: dark red to purple
Flowers: pinkish
Fruit: dark red fruit
Berries: blue-gray
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: purpleleaf sandcherry
Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub