Southern Wax Myrtle: Versatile, Hardy Evergreen for Wildlife and Garden
Discover the benefits, care, and uses of Southern Wax Myrtle, a resilient evergreen shrub for privacy, wildlife, and low-maintenance landscapes.
Southern Wax Myrtle: Evergreen Beauty and Wildlife Haven
Southern Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera), also known as southern bayberry or candle berry, is a fast-growing, aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree native to the southeastern United States. Praised for its adaptability, hardiness, and environmental benefits, this plant is a staple for homeowners and landscapers seeking low-maintenance greenery that supports local wildlife.
Table of Key Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Myrica cerifera |
| Common Names | Southern Wax Myrtle, Waxmyrtle, Candle Berry, Bayberry |
| Type | Evergreen shrub/small tree |
| Height & Spread | 10-25 feet tall, 8-25 feet wide |
| USDA Zones | 7–11 |
| Light Requirements | Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil Tolerance | Wet to well-drained, sandy, mucky, or poor soils |
| Salt Tolerance | High; suitable for coastal areas |
| Foliage | Olive-green, lance-shaped, aromatic leaves |
| Berries | Blue-grey waxy fruits (fall/winter, female plants only) |
| Flowering | Small white flowers in spring |
Core Features and Benefits
- Fast-Growing Privacy: Forms dense screens, quickly reaching 10–20 feet for effective windbreaks or living fences.
- Year-Round Evergreen: Retains aromatic, olive-green foliage throughout all seasons, offering continuous landscape interest.
- Wildlife Attraction: Berries nourish birds in winter; dense branches provide shelter for birds and mammals. Flowers attract bees and butterflies.
- Soil & Salinity Adaptability: Thrives in mucky, sandy, coastal, or nutrient-poor soils and tolerates salt spray—ideal for seaside gardens.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, resists drought, and poses few disease/insect issues.
Botanical Description
The Southern Wax Myrtle is a semi-upright, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, often with twisted trunks and smooth grey bark. Its fragrant, lanceolate leaves contain aromatic compounds and emit a spicy scent when crushed. Small white flowers appear each spring, followed by clusters of wax-coated, bluish-grey berries on female plants during fall and winter.
- Bark: Light grey, smooth texture
- Leaves: Olive-green, aromatic, lance-shaped; densely arranged on stems
- Flowers: Small, inconspicuous white blossoms (spring)
- Berries: Waxy, blue-grey drupes produced by female plants, persisting into winter
Growing Conditions and Site Selection
Southern Wax Myrtle displays exceptional tolerance to a range of site conditions, making it a top choice for difficult locations.
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade; growth becomes sparse in deep shade.
- Soil: Adaptable to wet, mucky soils and dry, sandy or poor soils; performs well in both acidic and alkaline conditions.
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, though young plants appreciate regular watering.
- Salinity: Highly salt-tolerant (soil and spray), making it suitable for coastal dunes and seaside landscapes.
- Cold Hardiness: Generally hardy from USDA zones 7–11; leaves may brown in extreme cold but stems remain uninjured.
Wax Myrtles should not be placed too close to dwellings due to aromatic oils contributing to fire risk in some regions.
Landscape Uses
Southern Wax Myrtle’s versatile form and foliage lend it to a wide array of landscaping applications:
- Privacy Screens & Hedges: Rapid growth and dense foliage make excellent living fences along property lines.
- Windbreaks: Plant in rows to buffer wind and shield yards.
- Foundation Plantings: Softens architectural edges and frames gardens.
- Coastal & Wetland Restoration: Thrives in challenging, salt-exposed sites and stabilizes soils.
- Filler Shrub: Fills large garden spaces with aromatic foliage and texture.
- Wildlife Habitat: Provides nesting, cover, and berries for birds and small mammals.
What others are reading
Creative pruning enables shaping as topiary or multi-stemmed domes. When mass planted, Wax Myrtles offer lush, naturalistic screens with year-round interest.
Wildlife Value
- Birds: Waxy berries are an important winter food for songbirds, including warblers, catbirds, and mockingbirds.
- Butterflies & Bees: Spring flowers provide nectar for pollinators.
- Small Mammals: Dense shrubs offer shelter for rabbits, rodents, and other wildlife.
- Nesting Habitat: Branch structure provides ideal perching and nesting sites.
Cultural, Medicinal, and Household Uses
Beyond landscaping value, Southern Wax Myrtle contributes to traditional and practical uses:
- Wax Extraction: Berries historically boiled to extract wax for candles and soap (hence “candle berry”).
- Insect Repellent: Aromatic foliage reportedly repels fleas and cockroaches; branches used in traditional household applications.
- Medicinal Use: Native Americans used plant-based remedies for pain, headaches, sore throat, worms, fevers, and dysentery.
Care and Maintenance
- Watering: Minimal needed once established—very drought tolerant.
- Pruning: Responds well and can be shaped for hedges, screens, or specimen forms; prune late winter or early spring for shape.
- Pest & Disease Resistance: Largely free of issues; occasionally affected by leaf anthracnose or mosaic, but seldom serious.
- Fire Risk: Aromatic oils make branches flammable; avoid planting close to structures in fire-prone areas.
No significant fertilizing required; mulch helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Propagation and Planting
- Seeds: Can be grown from seed, although germination is slow and berries require stratification.
- Cuttings: Most reliable method; take semi-hardwood stem cuttings in late summer for best results.
- Spacing: Allow 6–10 feet between plants for screens or hedges.
Companion Planting and Garden Integration
- With Native Grasses: Complements muhly, cordgrass, and bluestem in coastal gardens.
- Pollinator Beds: Pairs well with wildflowers for bee and butterfly habitat.
- Wetland Restoration: Stabilizes marshy areas and supports native fauna.
Environmental Benefits
- Erosion Control: Roots anchor sandy and erodible soils.
- Air Purification: Aromatic foliage filters airborne impurities.
- Buffer Planting: Reduces stormwater runoff and buffers waterways from pollutants.
Potential Drawbacks
- Flammability: Aromatic compounds increase fire hazard in certain conditions.
- Size Control: Requires pruning to limit size in small garden spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is Southern Wax Myrtle suitable for coastal gardens?
A: Yes, it is highly salt-tolerant and thrives in sandy, coastal environments, making it ideal for seaside yards.
Q: How large does a mature Southern Wax Myrtle get?
A: Mature plants reach 10–25 feet in height and width, with multi-stemmed, dome-shaped crowns.
Q: Does Southern Wax Myrtle require much watering?
A: Once established, it is very drought-tolerant and rarely requires supplemental watering.
Q: Are all Wax Myrtles fragrant?
A: Yes, all possess aromatic, olive-green leaves that emit a spicy scent when crushed or bruised.
Q: How does Wax Myrtle benefit wildlife?
A: Its winter berries provide food for birds, while dense foliage and branches offer nesting sites and shelter for wildlife year-round.
Q: Is Southern Wax Myrtle fire-resistant?
A: No, its aromatic oils make it more flammable than many other shrubs; do not plant too close to buildings in fire-prone regions.
Summary Table: Southern Wax Myrtle Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Conclusion
Southern Wax Myrtle exemplifies the union of ornamental beauty, environmental toughness, and wildlife support. From privacy screening to pollinator habitats, its versatile performance makes it a top choice for gardeners and landscape professionals. Easy to care for and rich in tradition, this native evergreen can transform nearly any property into a year-round haven for birds, pollinators, and the enjoyment of fragrant greenery.
References
- https://nationwideplants.com/products/southern-wax-myrtle
- https://bartramtrailsociety.com/southern-wax-myrtle-is-useful-to-humans-and-wildlife/
- https://www.fairfaxgardening.org/wp-content/webdocs/pdf/WaxMyrtle.pdf
- http://briarpatchposts.blogspot.com/2015/01/wax-myrtle-very-useful-plant.html
- https://ourmshome.com/wax-myrtle-so-many-uses/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Eoo2fhtEk
- https://thesurvivalgardener.com/wax-myrtle-worth-planting/
- https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/myrcera.pdf
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