American Bittersweet vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

American Bittersweet vs Northern Bayberry

Myrica pensylvanica

Celastrus scandens

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Northern Bayberry
American Bittersweet

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.

American Bittersweet is a deciduous, woody, perennial vine with striking orange to yellow berries that persist into winter. Indigenous to North America, this vine has become so rare it is now considered a protected species.

Excellent for naturalization projects, American Bittersweet attracts birds and other wildlife. Please keep in mind that the plant is toxic to humans and should not be ingested. To ensure the attractive berries are produced, cross-pollination between a male and female plant must occur.

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

American Bittersweet Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no
Berries: blue-gray
Berries: red-orange, toxic to mammals
Flowers: small white clusters
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium



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

Toxicity: All parts of plant are toxic to humans
Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub