Plant Names
Myrica gale
Sweet Gale
Myrique baumier
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: Red
Bloom Period: Apr - May
Max Height: 6.0 feet
Max Width: 5.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates wet soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates wet soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will come back year after year
Plant is
dioecious
Need a male and female plant to produce seeds
Gardener Experience:
Spreads by rhizome
Spreads by rhizome
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Ecological Benefits:
Supports birds
Butterfly host
Fixes nitrogen in the soil
Supports birds
Butterfly host
Fixes nitrogen in the soil
Tolerates:
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Fun Facts
Sweet Gale is found in wetlands, bogs, shorelines, and acidic soils. Its aromatic leaves release a pleasant scent when crushed. It produces small flowers in spring followed by waxy fruits. This shrub is an excellent choice for pond edges, and naturally wet areas where many shrubs struggle. It requires consistently moist soil. It prefers acidic soils.
Plant Location
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
No ecozone information available for this plant.
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Myrica gale
-
Cingilia catenaria
Chain-dotted geometer - Cingilia catenaria -
Phragmatobia fuliginosa
Ruby Tiger - Écaille Cramoisie
Specialized Bees Supported by Myrica gale
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- No complementary plants found.
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Berberis (Barberry)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Surface sow
- Sow by January
- Stratification conditions: Soak in water for 24h
- Stratification duration: 90 days
- Notes: Let cones dry for a week or two before cleaning.
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: July
- Harvesting indicator:
- Pods are brown and slightly open
- Harvesting:
- Put pods in blender and blend seeds
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: Half of one, 1/32 teaspoon
- Seed storage:
- Air Dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
- No harvesting video available at this time.