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Morella cerifera (Wax myrtle)

Other names: Bayberry, Candleberry, Tallow myrtle, Tallow shrub, Southern wax myrtle, Southern bayberry, Myrica cerifera, Myrica pusilla, Myrica cerifera var. pumila, Morella cerifera var. pumila, Cerothamnus ceriferus, Cerothamnus pumilus

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Species
M. cerifera is a rounded, deciduous or evergreen shrub with upright branches bearing aromatic, ovate to lance-shaped, dark green leaves. Inconspicuous yellow-green catkins in spring are followed by dense clusters of pale grey fruit borne along the branches.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
5 m 5 m 10-20 years
16 ft 16 ft 10-20 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, preferably acid or neutral, moist soil in sun or partial shade. Tolerates coastal spray and drought. Evergreen in warm climates, semi-evergreen or deciduous in colder areas. Fruit persists into winter. This plant fixes nitrogen.

Suggested uses

Containers/Patio, Coastal, Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, City, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wallside and trellises, Planted in groups

UK hardiness

H5

USDA zones

Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 11

Sunset zone

5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Moderate/Medium
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Moderate/Medium
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Semi-evergreen

Habit

Upright, Rounded

Native to

Southeastern United States

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Foliage is aromatic.

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Propagation methods

Seed, Layering, Softwood cuttings

Propagation

Sow seed in containers outdoors as soon as ripe.

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Prune evergreen shrubs lightly (only if needed)

Cut shoots to within two to four buds of the framework branches

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

Protect from cold drying winds (in cold areas)

Take semi-ripe cuttings

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (4)

Morella

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Morella caroliniensis
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Morella caroliniensis Swamp bayberry
Morella cerifera
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Morella cerifera Wax myrtle
Morella californica
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Morella californica Pacific wax myrtle
Morella pensylvanica
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Morella pensylvanica Bayberry
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Companion plants (21)

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Stachyurus 'Rubriflorus'
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Stachyurus 'Rubriflorus' Stachyurus 'Rubriflorus'
Stachyurus chinensis 'Celina'
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Stachyurus chinensis 'Celina' Chinese stachyurus 'Celina'
Stachyurus chinensis 'Joy Forever'
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Stachyurus chinensis 'Joy Forever' Chinese stachyurus 'Joy Forever'
Allium schoenoprasum f. albiflorum
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Allium schoenoprasum f. albiflorum White-flowered chives
Allium obliquum
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Allium obliquum Lopsided onion
Allium schoenoprasum 'Middleman'
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Allium schoenoprasum 'Middleman' Chives 'Middleman'
Allium hyalinum
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Allium hyalinum Glassy onion
Allium nevskianum
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Allium nevskianum Turkistan onion
Stachyurus chinensis 'Wonderful Image'
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Stachyurus chinensis 'Wonderful Image' Chinese stachyurus 'Wonderful Image'
Allium aflatunense
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Allium aflatunense Ornamental onion
Allium schoenoprasum
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Allium schoenoprasum Chives
Allium schoenoprasum 'Cha Cha'
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Allium schoenoprasum 'Cha Cha' Chives 'Cha Cha'
Allium schoenoprasum 'Forescate'
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Allium schoenoprasum 'Forescate' Chives 'Forescate'
Allium (any bulbous, ornamental variety)
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Allium (any bulbous, ornamental variety) Allium (any bulbous, ornamental variety)
Allium schoenoprasum 'Corsican White'
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Allium schoenoprasum 'Corsican White' Chives 'Corsican White'
Allium hookeri 'Zorami'
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Allium hookeri 'Zorami' Hooker chives 'Zorami'
Hypericum x moserianum 'Daybreak'
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Hypericum x moserianum 'Daybreak' Gold flower 'Daybreak'
Allium angulosum
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Allium angulosum Mouse garlic
Stachyurus praecox 'Magpie'
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Stachyurus praecox 'Magpie' Early stachyurus 'Magpie'
Hypericum x moserianum 'Tricolor'
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Hypericum x moserianum 'Tricolor' Gold flower 'Tricolor'
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