Villosa Lilac vs Sweet Gale

Popular Hedge Species!

Villosa Lilac is a relatively large and cold hardy shrub. It provides excellent privacy and wind protection.

Its fragrant, pink flowers grow in clusters at the end of its branches during mid to late summer and fade to a light pink over time. Villosa Lilac grows quickly and is drought resistant, making it suitable for the outer row of a shelterbelt. Its roots are non-suckering and it does not compete with nearby crops.

If you alternate Villosa Lilac and Common Purple Lilac in your hedge, your hedge will flower for more of the summer than if you plant either Lilac on its own.

Note: Villosa Lilac is more salt-tolerant than most of our stock.

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.

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