The Wax Myrtle is an easy to grow evergreen shrub that gives you endless possibilities in the landscape. Beware: If you’re looking for total pri… They are small 1 gallon size. pumilla Size: 3 Gallon Code: 1979-3 Exposure: Full to Part Sun Dimensions: 3-4′ H x 3-4′ W Water: Water regularly until established Blooms: Grown for its unique foliage Fertilizer: Feed with Fertilome Tree and Shrub 0 … The leaves, stems, and branches of these privacy hedges contain flammable aromatic compounds. Inconspicuous fragrant flowers borne in catkins appear in spring. Sometimes called Southern bayberry, wax myrtle was used by early American colonists to make bayberry candles from the fruit's waxy, bluish coating. old and irrigated. Easy to grow hedge that is great for privacy; The Southern Wax Myrtle is an ornamental beauty featuring aromatic, olive green foliage and a round growth habit, so they are ideal for use as a privacy hedge. The shiny evergreen foliage ranges from deep to light green. Easy to Grow, Dense Hedge • popular, low-maintenance evergreen • looks great in a hedge of three or five • one tough plant- grows in any soil The Wax Myrtle gives you a thick, fragrant hedge... perfect for property lines or roadside plantings. The Italian Cypress tree can grow up to two feet each year while maintaining a narrow, neat appearance. If each plant reaches 20 feet, and therefore spreads to 10 feet on each side, then two hedges will eventually meet in the middle of a 20-foot spacing. In a mixed bed, allow 4 feet between this plant and other shrubs. Individual leaves reach lengths of 1 to 5 inches with a spread of only 1/2 to 1/3 inch, giving them a long, slender appearance. Male flowers reach 1 inch in length and appear as yellowish-green, elongated spikes. Follow. About California Wax Myrtle (Morella californica) 36 Nurseries Carry This Plant Add to My Plant List; California Wax Myrtle (Morella californica) is a native shrub in the Myracaceae (Myrtle) family that is found primarily along the coast in northern and central California, although it does occur as far south as Los Angeles County and as far north as British Columbia. A properly spaced wax myrtle will achieve its mature height without causing any problems in your landscape. Wax myrtles are considered a 'native' here in Seattle--they require no care, live off of natural rainfall which is prodigious, but still are not exactly lush. Wax Myrtle is an evergreen tree that may grow 20 to 25 feet tall, but usually is much shorter. Classified as a dioecious shrub, each specimen produces only female or male flowers that appear in late winter or early spring. Native to North America and hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7b through 11 wax myrtle is also sometimes referred to as southern bayberry, notes University of Florida IFAS Extension. These privacy trees tolerate heavy pruning so you can sculpt them to just the right height and shape to suit your hedge needs. Near a drive or walkway, come in 4 or 5 feet. Hello, I planted 60 wax myrtles around the perimeter of my backyard to grow a privacy hedge. A suitable choice for roadsides or coastal areas, it readily tolerates salt spray and drought conditions. You see these all around town and in high-end neighborhoods. The light olive green leaves are alternate with a toothed margin, a spicy aromatic odor when crushed, and yellow resin dots on both surfaces. Dig a hole only as deep as the root ball and 2 to 3 times as wide. in the 5 to 8 ft range, theyd be up front, bordering the yard from the street (with dwarft buford hollies). Plant as a foundation shrub to create a formal backdrop in shrub borders or feature as an accent in a perennial bed. To produce an unbroken hedge, your wax myrtles must be no farther apart than their eventual spread, usually about 20 or 25 feet. The birds also seem to love the seeds so it's a home with a built in food supply. Taller growing Wax Myrtle cultivars are very easy to tree form. I planted them at ground level and they are getting plenty of water from the rain. All Rights Reserved. Dig a hole only as deep as the root ball and 2 to 3 times as wide. The wax myrtle lifespan is about 30 years, advises Calloway's Nursery. Tree Forming a Wax Myrtle. long (7-12 cm). Therefore, space each wax myrtle's trunk 7 1/2 to 12 1/2 feet apart. Leaves are green and fragrant and may smell especially good crushed underfoot. As mentioned, cease trimming two months prior to the average first-frost date in your area. Today, the wax myrtle is better appreciated for its easy care and salt tolerance. pacific wax myrtle hedge spacing - Google Search. Learn more about Monrovia plants and best practices for best possible plant performance. Wax myrtle is a deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen shrub or small tree. Southern Wax Myrtle is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. This dense foliage and the extremely rapid growth of the Wax Myrtle make it ideal for privacy hedges. Bark is smooth and grey-brown in color, notes Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. Space the wax myrtle's trunk 25 feet away from the trunks of nearby plants, buildings and stationary objects in an area with 25 feet of open vertical space. Produces glossy, green, aromatic foliage reminiscent of bayberry candles, bringing a lovely scent to your outdoor space. 4-foot high hedge place plants 18” O.C. Not my favorite bush. Compared to screens, the plants in a hedge should be close together, closer for short hedges. These flowers develop into dark purple berries coated in a white, waxy substance after pollination. Wax myrtle is a host for butterflies and provides food and shelter for birds. Special features: Attractive Bark, North American Native Selection, Ornamental Berries, Waterwise. Along with the proper amount of space, a wax myrtle's planting site must meet certain cultural requirements. The smaller cultivar, "'Fairfax" (Myrica cerifera "Fairfax"), only grows to a height and width of 4 to 5 feet, and the ground-cover version "Georgia Gem" (Myrica cerifera "Georgia Gem") grows to a height of 1 to 1 1/2 feet with a spread of 2 1/2 to 3 feet. A fast-growing woody evergreen, the wax myrtle may reach a mature height of 15 to 25 feet with an equal spread. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Clemson Cooperative Extension: Wax Myrtle, The University of Arizona: Hedges Can Provide Screening and Soften Hardscapes in Your Yard. 10 foot spacing would seem sparse for wax myrtles, a distance of 5 feet per bush is more space than I would give wax myrtles to grow over a 10 year period of time. Wax Myrtles typically grow in the south, but they need to be placed strategically, as they are a potential fire hazard to the environment. Plant wax myrtle about 10 feet apart to form a hedge, advises the University of Florida IFAS Extension. It tolerates both extended flooding and moderate drought, and is hardy enough to withstand salt spray when grown near an ocean. Care & Conditions for an Osage Orange Tree, Distance to Plant Semi Dwarf Fruit Trees Apart, Directions for Pruning Texas Mountain Laurel, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation: Morella cerifera, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Wax Myrtle Biology and Control In Pastures, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Myrica cerifera: Southern Waxmyrtle, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service: Waxmyrtle, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Disinfecting Your Garden Tools, Planting a Staggered Border With Thuja Plicata. Was this answer useful? Because it is tough and tolerant, putting up with a variety of growth and light conditions, it provides sturdy growth and longevity to hedges. Positive: On Sep 3, 2004, growtexas1 from Henderson, TX wrote: An excellent landscape shrub … The fruits that grow from the Wax Myrtle species contribute to recipes for candles, soap, and wax. ... Shrub or small tree 12 ft. tall and 8 to 10 ft. wide. Typical plant spacing in a hedge equals one-third to one-half the plant's mature spread. Dwarf Wax Myrtle features finely textured olive-green foliage and silvery-blue ornamental berries. Each tree has at least 1 bird's nest, sometimes more. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Q. Wax Myrtle – Problem - 12' shrub dying. The wax myrtle tree or shrub is often used for a fast growing hedge or privacy screen and may be used singly as an attractive specimen plant in the yard. Evergreen Shrub Myrica cerifera Size: 3 Gallon Code: Exposure: Full Sun Dimensions: 10-12′ H x 6-8′ W Water: Water regularly until established Blooms: Grown for its unique foliage Fertilizer: Feed with Fertilome Tree and Shrub Food Spacing: Due to its rounded form and dense foliage, both the wax myrtle and its "Fairfax" cultivar work well when planted in mass, side-by-side, as a hedge. 6-foot high hedge … Monrovia's Southern Wax Myrtle details and information. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. If you want to provide dappled shade to a deck, patio or other outdoor area, you can plant several wax myrtles together around a perimeter or in clusters. If you space them at a third to a half their eventual width – roughly 10 feet apart instead of 20 to 25 – they will fill in more quickly and, when fully mature, form a thick, interwoven hedge. A fast-growing woody evergreen, the wax myrtle may reach a mature height of 15 to 25 feet with an equal spread. I have 3 large (12-20') wax myrtles in my yard and the birds love them. ... Plant spacing. Myrica californica, most commonly called Pacific wax myrtle, is an evergreen shrub that grows from 10-30 ft. tall and 10-12-ft. wide.It is native to the coast and coastal valleys from the Santa Monica Mountains to Vancouver Island and is without a doubt one of the most versatile, best looking, and truly adaptable large natives for Sonoma County gardens. Fast-growing, Morella cerifera (Southern Wax Myrtle) is a densely bushy, evergreen shrub with glossy, aromatic, oblanceolate, olive green leaves, 3-5 in. Thriving in sun or shade, various soil types, and dry soil, it makes an excellent pruned hedge… This native shrub thrives in full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. UF/IFAS Sites. Typical plant spacing in a hedge equals one-third to one-half the plant's mature spread. Growing wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) as an evergreen shrub or small tree is an excellent addition to the landscape.Learning how to plant wax myrtle is relatively simple. In this case, the spacing should be further apart to allow light between the trees and to allow each tree its own form. You can also plant shrubs further apart to use as specimen trees in your yard. Leaves: Leaves are simple, alternate, and persistent. To plant a "Fairfax" wax myrtle hedge, space the trunks of the individual plants 2 to 2 1/2 feet apart. Wax myrtles can also be used as specimen trees, especially when lower branches are pruned off and they are trained at an early age to achieve an upright, spreading, graceful form. Female blooms look like round, yellow balls and grow close to the stems. 6 yrs. Sterilize your pruning tools with ethanol or isopropyl alcohol or a diluted bleach solution to prevent spreading disease, advises the University of Florida IFAS Extension. Evergreen Shrub Myrica cerifera var. Classified as a dioecious shrub, each specimen produces only female or male flowers that appear in late winter or early spring. Plant in spring, summer, or fall, spacing plants 6 feet apart or closer if you want a hedge line. Planting Wax Myrtles - Fast Growing Native Evergreen Screening Plant - In this video I plant some Wax Myrtles in my garden for screening. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. It can also be pruned into a hedge or screen for privacy, or a nice border. To plant a "Fairfax" wax myrtle hedge, space the trunks of the individual plants 2 to 2 1/2 feet apart. Plant in large groupings to create a tall screen or a formal, manicured hedge. The wax myrtles can get to 10 ft wide so you may want to only put one shrub in between or cluster maybe 3 Wax Myrtle Spacing - Garden -Trees, Grass, Lawn, Flowers, Irrigation, Landscaping... - Page 2 - City-Data Forum Therefore, space each wax myrtle's trunk 7 1/2 to 12 1/2 feet apart. Due to its rounded form and dense foliage, both the wax myrtle and its "Fairfax" cultivar work well when planted in mass, side-by-side, as a hedge. The bark is thin, smooth, and gray-brown, almost white. Placement ideas welcomed (pucs- of Northern Bayberry being planted,in 2017. then 2018, as WaxMrytle replaced 2 dead ones) You can, however, space hedging plants closer without harming them. Wax Myrtles are very fast growing shrub trees that give you privacy within 2 years. Spacing. The wax myrtle will thrive in any soil type, as long as it drains quickly and has a pH below 7.0. It prefers full to partial sunlight, meaning at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. A smaller spacing will cause the wax myrtles to become overcrowded once they mature, resulting in poor health a… Grown as either a tree or a shrub, wax myrtle is an irregularly shaped evergreen plant. 2-foot high hedge place plants 12” O.C. Saved by Laurie Hansen. Planting Instructions for the Wax Myrtle Plant in spring, summer, or fall, spacing plants 6 feet apart or closer if you want a hedge line. To plant a "Fairfax" wax myrtle hedge, space the trunks of the individual plants 2 to 2 1/2 feet apart. Plant the "Fairfax" cultivar at a spacing of 4 to 5 feet in an area with at least 5 feet of vertical space, and "Georgia Gem" at a spacing of 2 1/2 to 3 feet. Wax Myrtles are a tough southern staple. The wax myrtle growth rate is fast and the shrub can grow as much as 5 feet per year, notes Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. When we first moved into our house in the August of 2015, we didn't spend a tremendous amount of time in our backyard as, not only was it blazing hot outside, but there wasn't a lot of privacy being… Waxmyrtle grows as an evergreen shrub or small tree and can reach 20 to 40 feet in height, 8 to 10 inches in diameter. If broken or cut, the leaves emit a soft fragrance. A low-maintenance large shrub or small tree, the wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) works well in the landscape as a single specimen or in mass as a screen or hedge. Consider growing another species if you live near a wilderness area that might be impacted by wax myrtle root's invasive nature, notes the University of Florida IFAS Extension. Prune the tree to develop a strong structure, especially when young. Wax myrtle (morella cerifera) Joseph A. Marcus/Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center From: Magnolia Question: I have bought 30 wax myrtles, … A low-maintenance large shrub or small tree, the wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) works well in the landscape as a single specimen or in mass as a screen or hedge. To grow as a hedge, plant these shrubs about 3 or 4 feet apart. Recommended spacing is roughly as follows: 1-foot high hedge place plants 6” on center (O.C.) Shop Monrovia. Design Ideas A top choice for windswept coastal gardens, use this elegant shrub to block harsh winds or an unsightly view. congrats again. You can plant closer together--7 to 12 feet without any harm and they will form a more tight hedge. Wax myrtles can be shaped with a light shearing of foliage using hedge trimmers. at over15ft, I'd want the 2 Wax Myrtle as neighbor hedge (i need a TWO STORY SHADE evergreen). The fruit attracts birds, which spread the seeds via their droppings. Hedge Spacing for Wax Myrtle. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! This woody, evergreen grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10. I tried to do everything by the book. Space a minimum of 25 feet apart, so that trees will have a few feet between even if they achieve maximum spread for the species. If you are looking for an attractive, care free shrub, then look no further than this North American native. A smaller spacing will cause the wax myrtles to become overcrowded once they mature, resulting in poor health and fungal diseases due to poor air circulation. Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera, formerly Myrica cerifera) is an excellent hedge or screen plant. While technically a tree rather than a shrub, Italian cypress deserves a spot on this list of the best privacy plants– because of its spectacular appearance and fast growth rate. The foliage is also aromatic. Southern wax myrtle shrub is ideal as a screen, and can be trained as a small multi-trunked specimen tree. ... two hedges will eventually meet in the middle of a 20 foot spacing. Thrives in partly sunny areas that receive no more than 6 … Its aromatic foliage repels insects while its late-summer berries attract birds. It is often used on landscapes to provide a privacy barrier, owing to its thick foliage and moderately dense growth habit. Individual plants may have a narrow, rounded crown but multi-stemmed clumps often display wide, rounded crowns. The foliage emits a bayberry candle fragrance when crushed. To produce an unbroken hedge, your wax myrtles must be no farther apart than their eventual spread, usually about 20 or 25 feet. Great Plant Picks is an educational program of the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden, recommending outstanding plants for gardeners living west of the Cascade Mountains from Eugene, Oregon, USA to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 1 Leaves turning brown and falling off. Wax myrtle will grow in both full sun and shade, and in a wide variety of soil types. Wax Myrtle may be lightly shear using hedge trimmers or clippers several times throughout the growing season. The wax myrtle produces an overall rounded habit consisting of glossy green foliage with a gray to yellow tint. The benefits of planting a Wax Myrtle hedge in your yard go well beyond only providing privacy! Come out from the house 4 feet. Depending on how thick you want your hedge, you can plant wax myrtle at different distances from one another.