Anthony Waterer Spiraea vs Sweet Gale - TreeTime.ca

Anthony Waterer Spiraea vs Sweet Gale

Spiraea japonica Anthony Waterer

Myrica gale

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Anthony Waterer Spiraea
Sweet Gale

Anthony Waterer Spiraea is a low maintenance shrub with a dwarf, rounded form. In spring and summer rosy pink blooms emerge against green foliage. Its tolerance of a variety of well-drained soils makes it an ideal foundation, landscaping, or border plant.

If deer and rabbit are an issue on your property, consider planting Anthony Waterer Spiraea for its deer/rabbit resistance. Due to its compact form, minimal pruning is required.

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.

Anthony Waterer Spiraea Quick Facts

Sweet Gale Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1b
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
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: low


Foliage: dotted with yellow glands, sweet scented
Fall colour: orange to red
Fall colour: yellow
Bark: reddish-purple, dotted with yellow glands
Flowers: bright pink flowers
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