The fruit of the wax myrtle tree is an important source of food for birds, including the tree swallow, catbird, brown thrasher, and Myrtle Warbler, whose love of the tree earns it its name. Root disturbance or injury results in numerous suckers that must be pruned to keep the plant healthy. When growing wax myrtle, avoid planting annuals and perennials around the roots of this plant. Use the wax myrtle tree in mixed shrub borders and as shade for the deck or patio. As a shrub, it has a rounded, narrow form and is attractive when limbed up for use as a small tree. Wax myrtle often exhibits growth of 3 to 5 feet (1-1.5 m) a year. This is the source of its other name, Southern bayberry. Its waxy berries would be harvested and used to make bayberry candles. That, paired with their high tolerance for salt spray and salinity in the soil, makes them a popular choice for planting in marshes and swamps, on the oceanfront, and along roads.įor years the wax myrtle tree was prized for its fragrance and flammability. Since they fix atmospheric nitrogen, they are not phased by poor or infertile soils. They do well in almost all growing conditions, but tend to do best in slightly acidic, sandy soil with good drainage. Tough and durable, Southern wax myrtle trees do not need kid-glove treatment to thrive. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10. These ornamental features, plus the plant’s easy-care ways have made wax myrtle – also known as Southern bayberry – an extremely popular landscape plant in warm-winter regions. (When selecting a wax myrtle, be aware that both female and male plants and are needed to produce fruit.) The females bear inconspicuous flowers in spring, followed by clusters of gray-blue, waxy berries beloved by wildlife. As specimen trees, they form many-stemmed canopies of aromatic olive green leaves on smooth, twisted trunks. There is so much to love about a wax myrtle tree. Read here about growing tips for wax myrtle trees and shrubs. In the South they’re popular grown as hedges, but these attractive trees can also be used as specimens. Wax myrtle ( Myrica cerifera) is a small, broadleaf evergreen shrub that makes an excellent addition to almost any landscape. When to plant: transplant in spring or fall.Soil requirements: good drainage and slightly acidic soils.Sun exposure: partial shade to full sun.Botanical name: Morella cerifera formerly Myrica cerifera.It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard. This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and may require the occasional pruning to look its best. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. Landscape Attributesĭon's Dwarf Southern Wax Myrtle is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. The fragrant narrow leaves remain grayish green throughout the winter. It has grayish green foliage which emerges light green in spring. It features subtle chartreuse catkins along the branches from late winter to early spring. It features an abundance of magnificent blue berries from mid summer to mid fall. Don's Dwarf Southern Wax Myrtle is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit.
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