Pygmy Caragana vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

Pygmy Caragana vs Northern Bayberry

Myrica pensylvanica

Caragana pygmaea

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

CUSTOM GROW

Northern Bayberry
Pygmy Caragana

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.

Pygmy Caragana is a shrub that is related to Common Caragana and has a compact size that is suitable for yards with limited space. Its size is perfect for landscaping and decorative hedges, and requires little maintenance. This nitrogen fixer has fine-textured foliage and small yellow flowers. Much like Common Caragana, it is hardy and drought tolerant.

Popular as a low maintenance commercial landscaping shrub and for hedging. This species does have tiny spines that might poke you a bit. It has a nice appealing texture when mature.

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

Pygmy Caragana Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2b
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none

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

Flowers: prolific tiny yellow pea-like flowers
Berries: blue-gray
Seeds: prolific seedpods are edible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


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