Bog Birch vs Northern Bush Honeysuckle - TreeTime.ca

Bog Birch vs Northern Bush Honeysuckle

Diervilla lonicera

Betula pumila

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Northern Bush Honeysuckle
Bog Birch

The Northern Bush Honeysuckle is a small, dense, deciduous shrub. The trumpet-like yellow flowers bloom late spring to early summer. Dark green leaves turn yellow then red in the fall. The flower nectar has a sweet honey taste that can be sucked out of the flower.

Because of its aggressive suckering habit, the Northern Bush Honeysuckle makes a great hedge, shrub border, or thicket in a woodland garden.

Bog Birch is a hardy, deciduous shrub native to North America. It thrives in wetlands, riparian zones, and boreal forests, and can be found as far north as the Arctic Circle—making it one of the few woody plants to grow in such extreme climates.

In Western Canada, it is especially common in moist lowlands, along streambanks, and in peatlands. Beyond its ecological role in stabilizing soils and supporting wildlife, Bog Birch is frequently used in reclamation and restoration projects due to its resilience and ability to establish quickly in disturbed or degraded landscapes.

Note: We use Bog Birch for Betula pumila. This species is also known by many other common names, including Dwarf Birch, Swamp Birch, and others. Please confirm the scientific name to ensure you are ordering the correct plant.

Northern Bush Honeysuckle Quick Facts

Bog Birch Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


Fall colour: red-orange
Flowers: yellow to red
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: low bush honeysuckle
Other Names: dwarf birch, low birch, scrub birch, swamp birch