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Myrica cerifera

Image of Myrica cerifera

James Burghardt

Family

Myricaceae

Botanical Name

Myrica cerifera

Plant Common Name

Bayberry, Southern Waxmyrtle, Waxmyrtle

General Description

Southern wax myrtle is an evergreen large shrub to small tree native to moist location in the United States, New Jersey to southern Florida and west to Texas. It has an upright, open form, multiple trunks and twisting branches. The leaves are aromatic when crushed, dark, olive green and linear to lance-shaped, occasionally toothed above the middle. Wax myrtle is dioecious, the male and female flowers on different plants. The flowers are small, yellow-green and inconspicuous. The small, but abundant fruit on female plants is a drupe or stone fruit, dark purple-blue to black in color with a white, waxy bloom. The fruit is attractive to birds and persist throughout the winter.

Wax myrtle is a popular landscape plant used for hedges, screens and borders. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to part shade and is adaptable to drier locations and is moderately drought tolerant one established. This plant is somewhat short-lived and suckers from the roots form thickets. Selective pruning of older trunks will increase life-span. Wax myrtle may also be pruned into hedges or small trees. Best uses for include containers, parking lots, natural areas, and specimen trees for urban areas or seaside gardens. Over-fertilization and trunk or root damage encourage infestation by leaf spot and rot diseases.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    11 - 6

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 11

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    10'-20' / 3.0m - 6.1m

  • Width

    10'-20' / 3.0m - 6.1m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer

  • Native To

    Northeastern United States, Southeastern United States, Texas

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Wet Site, Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Thicket/Colonizing

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    Yellow Green

  • Fruit Color

    White, Purple, Black

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Olive

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Olive

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Olive

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Olive

  • Bark Color

    Green, Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    Yes

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical, Water Gardens

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes