Garrington Chokecherry vs Sweet Gale - TreeTime.ca

Garrington Chokecherry vs Sweet Gale

Myrica gale

Prunus virginiana Garrington

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Sweet Gale
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Sweet Gale is a native, nitrogen-fixing shrub known for its aromatic foliage. Tiny glands on the leaves release a balmy, bay leaf-like scent with floral and citrus notes. In spring, the yellowish male catkins provide one of the earliest sources of pollen for bees and other insects. While later in the season, the female catkins produce seeds that are eaten by waterfowl. Sweet Gale is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants.

Sweet Gale thrives in wet, acidic soils and is commonly found along wetlands and lakeshores. It can help stabilize shorelines, while its dense growth provides valuable cover for wildlife. It is well-suited for naturalization, wetland restoration, and erosion control projects.

Garrington Chokecherry is a self-fertile and rare chokecherry that is commonly used for commercial orchards. This highly prized selection is known for its heavy yields of large, reddish-black fruit that are easily harvested with an over row harvester.

Garrington Chokecherry is also commonly used for hedges and edible landscaping. This shrubs' chokecherries are commonly used in baking, preserves, wine, and jams or jellies.

Sweet Gale Quick Facts

Garrington Chokecherry Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 2b
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright, thicket-forming
Spreading: suckering - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: dotted with yellow glands, sweet scented
Fall colour: yellow
Bark: reddish-purple, dotted with yellow glands
Flowers: clusters of white flowers
Berries: large, tart, reddish-black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: bog myrtle, meadow-fern, sweet bayberry, sweetgale