Wax Myrtle, Southern Wax Myrtle, Southern Bayberry, Eastern Bayberry, Bayberry, Candleberry, Tallow Shrub, Cerothamnus ceriferus, Cerothamnus pumilus, Morella cerifera var. pumila, Myrica cerifera, Myrica cerifera var. pumila, Myrica pusilla
Fast-growing, Morella cerifera (Southern Wax Myrtle) is a densely bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, aromatic, oblanceolate, olive green leaves, 3-5 in. long (7-12 cm). The foliage emits a bayberry candle fragrance when crushed. Inconspicuous fragrant flowers borne in catkins appear in spring. Southern Wax Myrtle is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. The female plants give way to attractive clusters of waxy, pale blue berries in late summer, persisting through winter. They provide food for many species of birds. Easy to grow and easy to care for, Southern Wax Myrtle is valued for its showy berries and dense, shiny, evergreen foliage. Very versatile, it is a popular choice for screens, hedges, shrub borders, erosion control along stream banks, or wetland gardens. Since it is nitrogen fixing, it is useful for restoration projects. An excellent evergreen shrub, especially for coastal plantings, due to its tolerance to salt spray. At least one male plant must be present for female plants to produce berries. The waxy berries were used by colonists to make bayberry candles, soaps, and sealing wax.
Hardiness |
7 - 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Myricaceae |
Common names | Bayberry, Candleberry, Southern Wax Myrtle, Wax Myrtle |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
Height |
10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m) |
Spread |
8' - 10' (240cm - 3m) |
Spacing |
96" - 120" (240cm - 3m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Northeast, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Texas, United States, Virginia, West Virginia |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit, Wet Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Hardiness |
7 - 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Myricaceae |
Common names | Bayberry, Candleberry, Southern Wax Myrtle, Wax Myrtle |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
Height |
10' - 15' (3m - 4.6m) |
Spread |
8' - 10' (240cm - 3m) |
Spacing |
96" - 120" (240cm - 3m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Northeast, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Texas, United States, Virginia, West Virginia |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit, Wet Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
How many Morella cerifera (Southern Wax Myrtle) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Morella cerifera (Southern Wax Myrtle) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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