Betula nana

Common Names

Dwarf Birch, Arctic Dwarf Birch, Bog Birch, Swamp Birch

Summary

Dwarf Birch is a small, deciduous shrub with a dense, prostrate to upright habit, typically up to about 1 m tall, with small rounded leaves and slender, pubescent young twigs; it bears erect catkins and is wind-pollinated on a monoecious plant, with non-peeling bark. Native to Arctic and boreal regions, it occurs in tundra, open peat bogs, swamps, and montane mires across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Cultivation prefers moist, well-drained, nutrient-poor acidic soils and can tolerate a wide range of soils from sand to clay; it adapts to full sun to semi-shade, with limited maritime exposure. Hardy to zones 2–6; commonly used as ground cover or in rock gardens, and in native landscapes; maintenance is minimal, with propagation by seed and vegetatively via layering and root crowns.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

0-4 ft 11 in

Spread

3-4 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 2-5

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; partial shade tolerated in temperate or warm-temperate climates.

Soil Type

Acidic, moist, nutrient-poor peat soil

Soil Drainage

No single ideal drainage; tolerates both moist boggy sites and well-drained upland soils.

Soil pH

4.9–6.5, Acidic soil (nutrient-poor), Tolerates neutral

Bloom Color

Yellowish, Deep Red

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green foliage (upper surface darker green; turns red, yellow, or orange in autumn).

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, orange, and red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, and Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds