The Waxmyrtle is winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-10 where it is easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to dappled or part shade. Some populations are dioecious and some are monoecious, which means that in some cases only the females produce fruit. The small tree produces a bluish-white drupe that matures in clusters on short stalks and lasts through the winter. In spring, small male and female slim, cylindrical flowers mature. The bark is thin, smooth, and gray-brown, almost white. The light olive green leaves are alternate with a toothed margin, a spicy aromatic odor when crushed, and yellow resin dots on both surfaces. Wax Myrtle is an evergreen tree that may grow 20 to 25 feet tall, but usually is much shorter. Morella cerifera, Missouri Botanical Gardenĭirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs, by Michael A.Phonetic Spelling mur-EYE-kuh sur-IFF-ur-uh Description Waxmyrtle, Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home and Garden Information Myrica cerifera, North Carolina State University Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox Given its versatility, toughness and the many benefits it provides, there is certainly a southern wax myrtle to meet your landscaping needs. Another cultivar, ‘Fairfax,’ has dense foliage and grows 6 to 8 feet high. There are many compact forms such as ‘Don’s Dwarf’ that grows to 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. By removing the lower branches, the wax myrtle can be shaped into a small tree. It can also be grown on banks to control erosion or planted near streets that may be salted in winter. Wax myrtle shrubs can be used for screening, grown in woodland gardens or shrub borders in wet or shady sites. Its drupes are used to make bayberry candles, soap and sealing wax. It is also the host plant for the red-banded hairstreak butterfly. Its flowers provide a good source of nectar for bees and butterflies, and the berries are enjoyed by birds. The southern wax myrtle provides winter cover for birds and small mammals.
The southern wax myrtle is similar to the northern bayberry, but the southern species is heat loving. Plants may also be rated by their flammability. It should not be planted too close to a home. However, the plant is a fire risk due to the aromatic compounds contained in its leaves, stems and branches. Wax myrtle plants do not have any serious insect or disease problems, although they can suffer from leaf anthracnose or leaf mosaic. Pruning is recommended to keep the plant to its desired size. It can be planted in full sun to part shade. (Northern Virginia is in Zone 7.) In extreme cold, its leaves can turn brown, but this does not injure the plant stems. Tough and durable, it is winter hardy from Zones 7 to 10. Additionally, it is deer resistant.Īs mentioned above, the southern wax myrtle is a versatile plant and will succeed in a variety of soil conditions. Another interesting fact about this plant is that it fixes nitrogen in the soil, which allows it to survive in diverse soil conditions. This rapidly growing shrub is adaptable in medium to wet soils and will tolerate dry soils once established. Not surprisingly, wax myrtle plants are extremely tolerant of salt sprays and wind. In fact, it thrives in the sandy beaches from New Jersey to the Florida Keys. It is frequently found growing along marshes and in forests and swamps as well as in pure sand. The southern wax myrtle’s native habitat includes southern New Jersey to Central America and west to eastern Oklahoma and eastern Texas. As you have probably guessed, the fruit of this species have been used to make bayberry candles, soaps and sealing wax. In fact, other common names for this shrub include bayberry, candleberry and tallow shrub. I have observed them over the last few years, and I can confirm that they provide good screening, interesting multi-stemmed form and the signature berries and leaves that emit a fragrant bayberry scent when crushed. She has a hedge of southern wax myrtles bordering her front yard. I was unfamiliar with this shrub (some articles refer to it as a small tree) until a landscape-architect neighbor of mine suggested it to me. This lovely, versatile light-green shrub has many uses in the landscape and is adaptable to a variety of growing conditions. Are you looking for a native evergreen shrub for your yard or landscape? If so, you might consider the southern wax myrtle, Myrica cerifera, previously known as Morella cerifera.
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