Myrica cerifera

Southern Wax Myrtle

Considered the southern bayberry, this native broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree can grow 20-25' tall and 8-10' wide but is usually much shorter. When new growth develops in the spring, the rich bayberry scent is most prominent. Waxy gray, aromatic, spherical fruits are 1/8" wide and massed in clusters of two to six against the stems. Waxmyrtle flowers are fragrant but are not showy. Flowers bloom in April. Male and female flowers are usually on separate plants, but sometimes a plant produces both male and female flowers. Foliage may be browned or dropped at temperatures below 0°F.

Waxmyrtle provides excellent winter and extreme weather cover. It is a host plant for the Red-Banded Hairstreak butterfly. Flowers provide an excellent source of nectar for honeybees and butterflies. The fruits are eaten by birds, especially yellow-rumped warblers, in the fall and winter.

Waxmyrtle tolerates urban environments and is a good choice along streets and roads that are salted in winter. Use in groups in native, winter, children’s, butterfly, or pollinator gardens. It is also a good selection for stream or pond margins where periodic flooding or drought may occur or on a bank for erosion control as well as seaside locations. Use it as a barrier, privacy hedge, or attractive small tree with lower limbs removed.

  • Native, broadleaf, evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub
  • Scented leaves
  • Waxy, blue-gray berries

  • Category: Shrub, Native
  • Hardiness Zone: 7-9
  • Height: 10-20 ft
  • Spread: 8-10 ft
  • Foliage Color: Green
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Landscape Characteristics
Fragrance
Ornamental Fruit
Classification by Use
Drought Tolerant
Foundation Planting
Hedge/Screen
Mass Planting
Native
Specialty Use
Butterfly Garden
Wildlife Garden
Animal Resistance
Deer Resistant
Habit
Spreading
Upright
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Part Sun
Foliage
Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
Season of Interest (Flowering)
Spring
Season of Interest (Foliage)
Fall
Spring
Summer
Growth Rate
Fast
Soil Moisture
Average Water
Well-Drained
Wet Soil/Wetlands
Foliage Color
Green
Growing & Maintenance Tips for Myrica cerifera

Waxmyrtle is easy to grow in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to dappled or part shade. It even grows in the elusive dry shade. It tolerates infertile soils but establishes and grows much better with constant moisture and fertility. Once established in the landscape it will grow in a wide range of soil conditions ranging from wet swampy areas to dry uplands. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen which allows survival in infertile soils. Waxmyrtle usually requires male and female plants for good berry production. The shrub tends to sucker, sometimes forming sizable colonies in optimum growing conditions. It is adapted to seaside areas as it tolerates high winds, sterile soil, and salt spray.