Myrica gale
"Bog myrtle"
Orders placed until 29 February 2026
You can expect your order in February/March 2026
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2026
You can expect your order in March/April 2026
Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2026
You can expect your order within 10 business days
UK orders over £50
Free shipping
UK orders under £50
£4.99
Northern Ireland orders under £50
£5.99
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Description
Myrica gale, better known as bog myrtle, is one of those plants that proves small details can bring huge character to a garden. This deciduous shrub grows with a naturally suckering habit, forming loose thickets clothed in highly aromatic, narrow green leaves that release a spicy, resinous scent when brushed against. In spring, the stems carry clusters of yellow-brown catkins, lending texture and a gentle haze of colour before many other shrubs have woken up for the season. Later, small nut-like fruits follow, continuing Myrica gale’s understated but intriguing display.
Bog myrtle has long been valued not just for its ornamental charm but for its history in herbal traditions and even brewing. In a garden setting, Myrica gale adds a sense of wild beauty and works particularly well in damp or boggy soil, where other shrubs may struggle. Plant Myrica gale near a path or seating area to appreciate its fragrance whenever the foliage is touched or warmed by the sun. Whether grown as a feature plant or in a naturalistic planting scheme, Myrica gale is a versatile shrub that offers scent, seasonal interest and a whisper of wilderness right at home.
Myrica gale is called bog myrtle because it thrives in boggy ground and releases a spicy fragrance when its leaves are crushed.
Key features
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Perfect for pots
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Comes back every year
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Fragrant
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Attractive to wildlife
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Thrives well in full sun
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In peat-free compost
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Low maintenance
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Drought tolerant
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Fully hardy
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Rodent resistant
Specs & details
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Botanical name
Myrica gale
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Flower colour
Yellow, orange, brown
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Plant size
1
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Established height
1-1.5m
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Established spread
1-1.5m
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Plant spacing
6 plants per m2
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Leaf colour
Yellow, orange, brown
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Habit
Clump-forming
Upright -
Life cycle
Perennial
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Hardiness
Fully hardy
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Years to establish
1-2 years
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Sunlight
Full sun
Partial shade
Dappled shade -
Position
Sheltered
Exposed -
Suitable for
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens -
Soil acidity
Any
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Soil moisture
Free draining
Boggy -
Soil type
Clay
Loam
Multipurpose compost -
RHS Award (AGM)
No
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Growing skill
Easy to grow
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Scented
Yes
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Pollinator-friendly
Yes
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Mouse resistant
Yes
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Rabbit resistant
Yes
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Deer resistant
Yes
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Toxicity
Use of Myrica during pregnancy and lactation should be avoided
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
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Soak the Myrica gale roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting
Plant your "Bog myrtle" bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost within a week of delivery and grow-on in a sheltered spot outdoors
Choose a pot which comfortably fits the bare roots. Some have a noticeable crown which should be just below the soil surface with any top growth exposed. Some varieties are a length of root which should be planted lengthways and shallowly (1-2cm deep).
Plant out into borders or permanent containers in late spring or early summer once in full growth. Choose a position in sun or shade depending on the variety.
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Orders placed until 29 February 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
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