Myricaceae
Bog-myrtle
Myrica gale
Also known as Gale palustris var. crenata, Myrica gale var. subarctica, Myrica rothmaleriana, Gale palustris var. lusitanica
Native Plants · Bog Plant · Wetland Shrub · Acidic Soil · Aromatic · Native · Wildlife Garden · Insect Repellent · Ericaceous · Pond Edge · Deciduous
Bog-myrtle is a compact, aromatic deciduous shrub that thrives in wet, acidic soils such as bogs, fens, and pond edges — conditions that many other plants cannot tolerate. Plant it in a partially shaded spot and keep the soil consistently moist, as it dislikes drying out. Its fragrant foliage is a natural insect repellent, and it requires little pruning beyond occasional shaping after flowering.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 4 hours
- Watering
- Keep soil consistently moist; does not tolerate prolonged dryness · Every 5-7 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil pH
- 5–7.8
- Cycle
- Perennial
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Spacing
- 36 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Green · Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alaska, Alberta, Baltic States, Belgium, British Columbia, Connecticut, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Kuril Is., Labrador, Magadan, Maine, Manitoba
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
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