Scrub Birch
Betula glandulosa

Family: Betulaceae

What it is like

Betula glandulosa is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 1 and is not frost tender. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 2

Where it is found

Streambanks, marsh margins, lakes and bogs, also found on alpine slopes.

North-western N. America - Newfoundland to Alaska, southwards on mountain ranges.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Young leaves and catkins - raw. The buds and twigs are used as a flavouring in stews.

Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The bark is antirheumatic, astringent, lithontripic, salve and sedative.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Antiseborrheic: Used in the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Lithontripic: Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.

Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.

Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Other

Rating: 3

The plant is valuable for ground cover. An infusion of the plant is used as a hair conditioner and dandruff treatment.

Hair: Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.

Dynamic accumulator: Plants that gather minerals or nutrients from the soil and store them in a more bioavailable form and in high concentration in their tissues. Used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Succeeds in a well-drained loamy soil in a sheltered position. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Shade tolerant. B. glandulifera, mentioned above as a synonym of this species, might be a separate species in its own right. This species is native to areas with very cold winters and often does not do well in milder zones. It can be excited into premature growth in mild winters and this new growth is susceptible to frost damage. The branches are covered in aromatic glands, and the leaves are pleasantly fragrant when crushed. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. This species is closely related to B. nana. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and place the pot in a sunny position. Spring sown seed should be surface sown in a sunny position in a cold frame. If the germination is poor, raising the temperature by covering the seed with glass can help. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed, it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed, either as soon as it is ripe or in the early spring - do not cover the spring sown seed. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for 2 years before planting them out into their permanent positions in the winter.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Ground Cover;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

B. crenata. B. glandulifera.