Bog Birch
Deciduous shrub growing 1-3 m tall. Features small, rounded leaves and inconspicuous catkins. Bark is smooth and dark brown. Prefers wet, acidic soils and full sun to partial shade. Often found in bogs, fens, and wet meadows. Tolerates seasonal flooding and cold temperatures. Provides food and cover for wildlife. Useful for wetland restoration projects and naturalized areas in moist sites. Native to northern North America.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: Brown (catkins)
Bloom Time: Early Spring
Sun Requirements: Sun to Part-Shade
Moisture: Wet
Phenology: Leaves emerge mid-May. Catkins appear with leaves. Seeds mature and disperse August-September. Yellow fall color develops early October. Dense twigs visible in winter.
Wildlife Value: Seeds eaten by songbirds; buds used by grouse and other winter birds; provides cover in wet areas for various wildlife
Habit Over Time: Forms a low, multi-stemmed shrub with a more compact habit than other birches. Stems are dense at the base but create a more open structure above. Spreads slowly through root suckers to form small colonies, but maintains a definable footprint. Works well in transitional areas between wetland and upland zones.
Height: Medium (3-8 feet)