County Gardeners Extension Express

Southern Wax Myrtle

The Southern Wax Myrtle, Morella cerifera (syn. Myrica cerifera), also known as southern bayberry or can-dleberry, is a large, spreading, fast-growing, evergreen tree or large shrub that typically grows to 10-15’ tall and 8-10’ wide, but occasionally reaches a tree-like height of 20’ tall or more. It is native to the southeastern U.S. and typically found in a variety of soil types and habitats including wet-lands, sand dunes, hillsides, and upland forests.

The wax myrtle is winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-10. It can be a versatile plant in the landscape that can be used in woodland gar-dens or shrub borders, as a privacy screen or informal hedge, in wet, dry, sun or shady sites. The lower limbs can be trimmed to more resemble a tree than a shrub. It is also tolerant of high winds and salt spray making it a great choice for flood-prone or seaside areas. The wax myrtle fixes atmospheric nitrogen which helps it survive in poor soils.

The glossy, aromatic leaves, particularly the new growth, emit the distinctive bayberry candle fragrance when crushed. Flowers are fragrant but non-showy, with only the flowers on male plants displaying some color. Flowers bloom in late winter to early spring. Pollinated female flowers are followed by small attractive clusters of tiny, globose, blue-gray fruits which mature in late summer to fall, with persistence through winter. Each fruit is sur-rounded by an aromatic waxy substance. Birds eat the fruits in fall and winter, thus helping the plants to naturalize by disbursing the seed.

This species is dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants). Female plants are preferred in the landscape because they produce the attractive and sometimes useful fruit. At least one male plant is needed to facilitate pollination of the female flowers.

Wax myrtles are great pollinator trees. Their nectar pro-vides food for honeybees and butterflies, and its dense foliage throughout the year, providing winter cover for wildlife. These trees can grow quickly, so frequent trimming is necessary to main-tain a particular height. New growth is evident by a bright green color and is easily broken from the original branches.

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