Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , CO , ID , ME , MT , NH , NY , OR , SD , UT , VT , WA , WY
Canada: AB , MB , NB , NS , NT
Native Distribution: AK to Greenland
Native Habitat: Wet bogs & tundra areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), GL(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Wet, sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Adapts to drier soils.

Propagation

Description: Sow seeds as soon as ripe in moist, sandy, shaded soil. Germination is facilitated by exposure to light; never plant too deeply. Seedlings can be transplanted at one year.
Seed Collection: Birch seed is collected by picking the catkins while they are still green enough to hold together. They shatter easily and should be put directly into bags.
Seed Treatment: One month cold stratification compensates for light treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Betula nana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Betula nana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Betula nana