Diamond-Leaf Willow vs Dwarf-Bog Birch - TreeTime.ca

Diamond-Leaf Willow vs Dwarf-Bog Birch

Salix planifolia

Betula glandulosa

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Diamond-Leaf Willow
Dwarf-Bog Birch

Diamond-Leaf Willow is a native deciduous shrub known for its glossy diamond-shaped leaves, which give the shrub its name. Its catkins emerge in spring, providing an important early source of pollen for pollinators. The shrub’s dense growth also offers valuable cover and browse for wildlife, including moose and deer.

This shrub is well-suited to cool, moist habitats such as wetlands, streambanks, and forest openings. It spreads by rhizomes, helping to stabilize soils and form dense thickets. Diamond-Leaf Willow is valuable for reclamation, wetland enhancement, shelterbelt plantings, and a wide range of conservation and habitat restoration projects.

Dwarf-Bog Birch is a native, cold-hardy shrub that can be found across most of Canada. Its preference for moist soils and the extensive root system make it well-suited for riparian zone plantings, soil stabilization, and erosion control projects.
It features small, round, leathery leaves with scalloped edges and produces small, cone-like catkins. A distinguishing characteristic of the Dwarf-Bog Birch is the presence of large resin glands on the branches and the undersides of the leaves. These resin glands are the reason for its scientific name, Betula glandulosa.
Note: We use Dwarf-Bog Birch for Betula glandulosa. This species is also known by many other common names, including Bog Birch, Dwarf Birch, Glandular Birch, and others. Please confirm the scientific name to ensure you are ordering the correct plant.

Diamond-Leaf Willow Quick Facts

Dwarf-Bog Birch Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright to spreading, ticket-forming
Growth form: spreading to prostrate, clump-forming
Spreading: seeds - medium, layering - low
Spreading: seeds - medium, layering - medium


Bark: smooth, dark brown
Bark: reddish brown
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: yes


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NL, YT, NT, NU
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: diamondleaf willow, flat-leaved willow, mountain willow, plane-leaf willow, plane-leaved willow, tea-leaf willow, tea-leaved willow
Other Names: dwarf birch, dwarf resin birch, glandular birch, resin birch, scrub birch, swamp birch