Northern Red Currant vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

Northern Red Currant vs Northern Bayberry

Myrica pensylvanica

Ribes triste

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Northern Bayberry
Northern Red Currant

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.

The Northern Red Currant is also known as the Swamp Red currant due to its preference for moist soil. As long as the soil is wet, this shrub can live in any degree of sunlight.

The currant itself is a bright red-purple berry enjoyed by many animals and some people for its sour flavour, similar to garden red currants. The flowers of this shrub are tiny and red or greenish-purple.

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

Northern Red Currant Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none

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

Flowers: reddish or greenish purple
Berries: blue-gray
Berries: shiny, sour, bright red
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub
Other Names: swamp red currant