shrub

Sweet Gale

Myrica gale

Updated 29 Jul 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Sweet Gale (Myrica gale) — a shrub, for Full sun, High water.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Lightfull sun to partial shade
Watermoist to wet conditions

↑ Gives back

Biomassmedium

Through the year

Emergence

Emergence of new growth in spring after the last frost and when air temperatures consistently rise above 5C.

Flowering

Flowering occurs in early spring, typically April, as days lengthen.

Fruiting

Fruits develop after flowering, maturing over summer.

Senescence

Leaves begin to senesce and drop with the first autumn frosts and shortening days.

Dormancy

Enters dormancy after senescence, lasting through winter.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagepoor to moderate
Nitrogen fixingYes
MycorrhizalYes
Accumulatesnitrogen
Soil texturesandy, loamy, peaty
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceLow

Propagation

Methodsseeds, cuttings, division
Difficulty3 / 5
Establishes in~2 yr
Stratificationcold_moist
Self-seedingModerate
Divisionspring

Wildlife & pests

Attractspollinators
Repelsinsects