Other Names:  Southern Bayberry, Morella cerifera var. pumila

Description:

This dwarf variety is valued for its aromatic, soft foliage and adaptability; select both a male and female plant together to produce the ornamental waxy-blue berries; tolerant of wet or dry, infertile soil; repels insects; a great choice for low hedging

Ornamental Features

Dwarf Southern Wax Myrtle is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit. It features an abundance of magnificent powder blue berries with silver overtones from mid summer to mid fall. It features subtle chartreuse catkins with tan overtones along the branches from late winter to early spring. It has grayish green foliage with olive green undersides which emerges light green in spring. The fragrant narrow leaves remain grayish green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Dwarf Southern Wax Myrtle is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. 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

Dwarf Southern Wax Myrtle is recommended for the following landscape applications;

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

Planting & Growing

Dwarf Southern Wax Myrtle will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. This is a dioecious species, meaning that individual plants are either male or female. Only the females will produce fruit, and a male variety of the same species is required nearby as a pollinator.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America. It can be propagated by cuttings.