Northland Blueberry vs Sweet Gale - TreeTime.ca

Northland Blueberry vs Sweet Gale

Vaccinium corymbosum Northland

Myrica gale

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

CUSTOM GROW

Northland Blueberry
Sweet Gale

Northland Blueberry is the hardiest of the half-high highbush blueberries. It's also the best looking. In fact, it is frequently planted as an ornamental. Northland Blueberry produces large quantities of medium-size berries that taste amazing but are on the softer side, which matters to some people.

You must also prune Northland Blueberry to maintain its health and productivity.

Note: Blueberries require very specific soil conditions. They need well-drained soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.0. If the starting pH of your soil is between 5.1 and 6.2 you can lower it by adding sulfur. We recommend against planting blueberries in soil with a starting pH greater than 6.2. Please do your own research before buying any blueberry plants.

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.

Northland Blueberry Quick Facts

Sweet Gale Quick Facts

Zone: 3b
Zone: 1b
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright, thicket-forming
Spreading: suckering - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: dotted with yellow glands, sweet scented
Fall colour: orange-red
Fall colour: yellow
Bark: reddish-purple, dotted with yellow glands
Berries: large clusters of blue berries
Fruit size: medium
Firmness: soft
Flavor: excellent
Harvest: early to mid summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


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