Myrica gale NativeStar® 'Lowboy' - Sweetgale
DESCRIPTION
SweetgaleMyrica gale 'Lowboy'
This low growing, spreading shrub features narrow, fragrant green leaves whorled on stems creating a great nesting environment for native songbirds. This male selection from the UCONN NativeStar® program shows off its catkin flowers in spring providing food for native pollinators. Perfect for mass plantings.
BENEFITS
- Provides food and cover to Yellow-rumped Warblers
- Great cover and nesting for native birds
- Helps bring nitrogen to poor soil areas
- Easy to grow and thrives in wet conditions
- Tolerates brackish and saltmarsh conditions
- Foliage fragrant when crushed
- Perfect for grouping to create a low, bird friendly hedge
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Moist areas
Map Credit: The Biota of North America
Map Key: Green (native), Teal (native, adventive), Blue (present), Yellow (present & rare), Red (extinct)
INTERESTING FACTS
Campers frequently hang bunches of Sweetgale foliage in tents to repel insects. Its sweetly scented foliage has been or is currently used in perfumes, to flavor food and drinks, as a dye or to create sweetly scented candles.
GROWING TIPS
Prefers marshlands, bogs, wet sites along the borders of small lakes, pond, and streams.