Morella cerifera

Product Info

Southern Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
Wax Myrtle Family

Wax Myrtle is an evergreen small tree or shrub that will grow in just about any garden condition. Its suckering naturing, fast growth,  and evergreen leaves make it an excellent choice for hedges, erosion control, and for providing wildlife habitat throughout the winter. On average plants will reach heights of ~20’, but can occasionally grow taller. They respond well to pruning, so can be shaped to desired height and width once established. Greenish red flowers that look like tiny pinecones hugging the stems appear in early March. Flowers are replaced by waxy gray fruits in late summer and are favorite winter fruit for birds.Plants are dioecious–only female plants produce fruit and both male and female are needed for fruit set. Best form and fruit set will occur in full sun with moist soils, but this species will grow in almost any soil and sun combination, including dry shade. Plants grown in shade will have a much more open form. The leaves are very aromatic and produce a pleasant, spicy scent when crushed. Fruit have traditionally been boiled down for the wax to make bayberry scented candles.

Blooms: Green, red, yellow, 2-3 weeks, Mar-Apr (plants are typically dioecious)
Leaves: Evergreen, fragrant, glossy, 3-5’ long
Height: 15-25’
Space: 10-15’
Soil: Average-Moist-Dry-Wet
Exposure: Full sun-Part sun-Part sun-Shade
Fauna: Bird favorite for fruit & habitat, moth & butterfly host plant
Seeds:  Small, waxy, aromatic blue fruits appear on female plants in late summer
Deer Resistance: High
Zone: 7-11
Native Status: NC native, common in the Coastal Plain, escaped from cultivation in the Mountains & Piedmont
Provenance: NC ecotype, seed grown