Other Names:  Southern Bayberry

Description:

This is a male selection, needed to produce the ornamental waxy-blue berries on female plants, that are a high energy food source for birds; tolerant of wet or dry, infertile soil; aromatic foliage repels insects; a great choice for low hedging

Ornamental Features

Soft Cloud Southern Wax Myrtle features subtle chartreuse catkins along the branches from late winter to early spring. It has grayish green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The fragrant narrow leaves remain grayish green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Soft Cloud Southern Wax Myrtle is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and may require the occasional pruning to look its best. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering

Soft Cloud Southern Wax Myrtle is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Topiary

Planting & Growing

Soft Cloud Southern Wax Myrtle will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.