Native Shrubs of Nova Scotia

Witch Hazel

• Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a medium-sized shrub that can reach 25 feet in height. It is native to Nova Scotia and the eastern parts of North America. It basically is an open plant that is low-growing and spreads rapidly. The bark has medicinal purposes and can be used to ease muscle aches. Witch hazel has a small fragrant yellow-golden flower that blooms in the fall. The leaves also turn colors in the fall, bright yellow and orange, tending to overshadow the flowers. Grown in rich, moist soil, the plant requires a good bit of shade. On slopes, the shrub will tend to hold the hillside and prevent erosion. Witch hazel has a small shiny, black fruit, which Native Americans ate like nuts.

Black Crowberry

• Black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) is a native shrub to Nova Scotia and thrives across Canada, all the way to Alaska. It is a low-growing evergreen that creeps along the ground, only reaching the height of 6 inches. The crowberry has small elliptical green leaves and produces a black fruit the size of a blueberry. The crowberry likes acidic soils and loves the shade. This particular plant is vital to wildlife as a food staple. Large mammals such as bears and caribou, as well as all sorts of birds, depend on this fruiting shrub to survive. Humans use the berries in jams, pies, and jellies.

Bog Rosemary

• Bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) is wide-ranging, low-growing evergreen shrub with a height of between two inches and two feet. The bog rosemary is native to Nova Scotia but occurs in wet areas around the world in the Northern Hemisphere. The leaves of this plant are dark green on top and silverfish white on the bottom. The flowers are bell-shaped and white to pink in color. This plant prefers poorly draining, moist, highly acidic soil. The bog rosemary is highly adaptive, though, and has been found flourishing in different habitats. Flowers bloom in late spring, and the plant makes an ideal ground cover.