The factors that seem to affect cold acclimation the most are low temperatures, short days, water stress, and the developmental stage of the plant. Far red light, characteristic of the long twilights at high latitudes, and short day length promote cold acclimation. Water-stressed plants have an increased tolerance of freezing and increase their freezing point. In plants exposed to short days, tissue changes occur that reduce the plant's ability to take up water and simultaneously increase water loss so that the plant partially dehydrates even when water is plentiful. Alaska to Labrador and Newfoundland, south to Virginia, Kansas, northern Mexico, and California.
Southern limits appear to be determined by high temperatures.
Prefers rich, moist soils with pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. High levels of mineral nutrients needed for vigorous growth. Tolerates flooding and, consequently, is found on floodplains and wetlands and is often one of the first shrubs to invade wet meadows. Seeds germinate above water level, but after several years growth, the plants can live with the roots submerged in water for most of the growing season. Plants on such wet sites are found in mineral rich swamps or fens and not in nutrient poor sphagnum bogs.