Wax Myrtle

Morella cerifera

Size: 3, 7 & 15 Gallon Availability

Shrub
Max size: 25’ tall x 8’ wide
Average size: 6-12′ tall x 4-6′ wide

Very Moist, Occasional Moist, Moist to Dry, Dry
Humus, Loam, Limerock, Sand, Clay
Full Sun, Part Shade

Salt Spray Tolerance: Medium; tolerant of salty wind & salt spray during major storms
Salt Water Tolerance: Tolerant of brief inundation as during a storm surge

AKA: Southern Wax Myrtle, Southern Bayberry, Eastern Bayberry, Bayberry, Candleberry, Tallow Shrub, Myrica cerifera

Specimen plant, informal background thicket, or privacy screen. Takes well to pruning and suckers readily; it is evergreen that grows between 1-5ft a year. It is hurricane wind-resistant tree. (1) Requires constant moisture to get established without dramatic foliage loss, but it is both drought- and flood-tolerant once established (6-12months). If temperatures fall below 0°F, it will loss some or all of it’s foliage but will releafing once temperatures warm.

It is considered a keystone species. They’re larval hosts for banded hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) and red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) butterflies. The fall waxy berries are an important winter food source for many local birds – quail, turkey, several species of ducks and wading birds, brown thrasher, bluebird, and many warblers. (2)

Historically, wax myrtles were used by Native Americans for various ailments, as a tobacco alternative, and to make lye. (3) Today, candles made from their berries are prized; the process is labor intensive but the candles themselves are superior, burning longer with a pleasant scent.