Chippewa Blueberry vs Sweet Gale - TreeTime.ca

Chippewa Blueberry vs Sweet Gale

Myrica gale

Vaccinium x Chippewa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Sweet Gale
Chippewa Blueberry

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.

Chippewa Blueberry is the perfect shrub for attracting birds and butterflies. Incredibly cold-hardy, the Chippewa Blueberry is an upright shrub making it easy for harvesting. Known for producing high yields of large blue-colored berries, this blueberry is a favourite for fresh eating, baking, and preserves. As with all blueberries, the Chippewa needs soil with a low pH and high acidity.

Sweet Gale Quick Facts

Chippewa Blueberry Quick Facts

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


Foliage: dotted with yellow glands, sweet scented
Fall colour: yellow
Fall colour: red and orange
Bark: reddish-purple, dotted with yellow glands
Flowers: white, pink tinged
Berries: edible blue
Firmness: firm
Flavor: sweet, juicy
Harvest: July
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
Other Names: chippewa half high blueberry, half high blueberry