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Myrica spp.

Myricaceae

North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa

Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 2–9

Overview

Myrica spp. is a genus of about 35 to 50 aromatic shrubs and small trees in the family Myricaceae, found across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Growth ranges from low, suckering shrubs 2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 m) tall, such as Myrica gale, sweet gale, to small trees 15-35 feet (4.5-10.5 m) high in warmer species. The leaves are narrow to oblong, often toothed toward the tip, and release a sweet, resinous scent when crushed from glands on the surface. Most species are dioecious, with separate male and female plants bearing small catkins in spring; female plants produce small, hard fruits coated in pale blue-gray wax, the source of the wax used in bayberry candles. Many species fix nitrogen through root nodules and tolerate poor, sandy, wet, or salty soils where few shrubs grow. Some species are evergreen and others deciduous, and the genus spreads by suckers, which can form dense thickets.

Native Range

Myrica spp. is widespread across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Species grow on bogs, dunes, sandy barrens, pond and marsh edges, and coastal scrub, often on nutrient-poor or salt-exposed ground.

Suggested Uses

Used in coastal and seaside gardens, rain gardens, bog edges, and naturalized screens and hedges on poor or wet soils. The aromatic foliage and waxy fruit suit wildlife and habitat plantings, and the fruit wax has long been used for scented candles. Salt and wind tolerance suits exposed sites where many shrubs fail.

How to Identify

Recognized by aromatic, often gland-dotted leaves that smell resinous when crushed, borne on shrubs or small trees with simple, narrow to oblong blades. Small catkins appear in spring, and female plants carry clusters of small fruits coated in pale gray-blue wax. The waxy fruit and scented foliage separate Myrica spp. from willows and other wetland shrubs.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 35'

Width/Spread3' - 15'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Catkins open in spring, roughly March to May, before or with the new leaves, with male and female catkins usually on separate plants. The flowers are wind-pollinated and inconspicuous. Waxy fruits develop on female plants through summer and can persist into winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand peat loam

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Most species grow in full sun to part shade on moist to wet, sandy, acidic soils and tolerate bog, dune, and coastal conditions, including salt spray. Nitrogen-fixing root nodules let the genus grow on poor, infertile ground without feeding. Both male and female plants are needed for the waxy fruit to set. Plants spread by suckers and can form thickets, so room to spread or root barriers are worth planning. Propagation is by seed, suckers, or cuttings. Tolerance of waterlogging and salt is high, but most species are intolerant of dry, alkaline, chalky soils.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring to shape the shrub, remove dead wood, and limit spread. Suckers are cut or dug out to control thicket formation. The genus tolerates hard renewal pruning and resprouts from the base.