Betula nana (Dwarf Birch)


Michael's Opinion

A good plant if a shrub is what your looking for. Has nice autumn colour, as well as a rich green colour throughout spring and summer. However is does not give off any shade, or have any value along property lines. Betula nana could only serve close to a house or building as ground cover. It can grow in areas that have very cold winters so it is a tough plant that will survive the winters in Southern Ontario easily.

Botanical Information

FamilyBetulaceae
GenusBetula
Speciesnana
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (deciduous)
ReferencesFrançois Lemay Nursery. Lanoraie, Quebec.
OriginGreenland and Iceland, and in northern latitudes of Europe and North America
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone0a - 0b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone1
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)(-46) - (-40)
Temperature (°F)(-50) - (-40)
Height1 m
Spread1-2 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA small shrub, reaching only about 1 m in height and just as wide. It has small leaves and stiff branches that grow along the ground, turning upright at the tips. This species has been placed on the IUCN Red List as least concern.
ID CharacteristicMulti-stemmed shrub, with leaves that are a dark green on top, and double veined on the underside.
ShapeGround cover, small shrub.
LandscapeUse close to buildings as a ground cover, or along sidewalks and walkways, or in rock gardens.
PropagationNever plant too deep as the seed needs to be moist, and germination occurs by exposure to sunlight. Plant as soon as ripe in moist, sandy, shaded soils. Seedlings can be transplanted after 1 year.
Notable SpecimensGrowing naturally in Northern Ontario, and over Iceland and Greenland.
HabitatGrows well in swamps, bogs, forest beds, and at the base of mountains
Bark/Stem DescriptionA stiff, grey bark.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description2 cm long, sharp at the point.
Leaf DescriptionFairly small, only about 2 cm in diameter, thick, hairless, with rounded teeth. Autumn colour is yellow, orange, or red.
Flower DescriptionThe males hang limply at the end of twigs to spread pollen, and the females grow from buds beyond expanding leaves, catkins are usually 2-4cm in length.
Fruit DescriptionA small winged nut.
Colour DescriptionGreen leaves, with an orange, yellow or red autumn colour, light brown bark.
Texture DescriptionFine-Meduim

Photographs