Bayberry is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub with leathery, aromatic leaves and delightfully fragrant, waxy berries. The berries, which bear a woody, herbal fragrance reminiscent of winter holidays, are prized for scenting candles and soaps. There are dozens of species of bayberry, but the most common varieties are northern and southern bayberry. Northern bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) is most common in zones 3-7 while southern bayberry (a.k.a., Morella cerifera or wax myrtle) is more common in zones 7-11. Both are deer-resistant, salt-tolerant, and capable of thriving in a wide range of soils.
Bayberry shrubs are part of the taxonomic family Myricaceae and were once all classified under the genus Myrica. That name is now controversial. In the mid-1990s, botanists split the genus in two—Morella and Myrica—based on the structure of the catkins (flower clusters) and fruit. For this reason, most bayberry plants are now considered part of the Morella genus, though many still refer to them under the Myrica genus.
Bayberry Overview
Where to Plant Bayberry
Bayberry plants tolerate salt spray. So, they make excellent coastal plantings but may have stunted growth in windswept areas. The evergreen/semi-evergreen shrubs are also effective at erosion control and stabilizing sandy, coastal landscapes.
In the garden, bayberries tolerate both wet and dry soils. Use them alongside ponds and streams or plant them at your garden’s edge to deter hungry deer. Depending on the variety, bayberries also make suitable additions to coastal gardens, cottage gardens, rain gardens, and woodland gardens.
Bayberries make excellent foundation and hedge plants—especially when planted along walkways where you can brush by their aromatic foliage. That said, some varieties (Morella cerifera in particular) are highly flammable, so keep that in mind when planting close to homes or structures.
Bayberry shrubs can be planted alone, but if you want your bayberry shrubs to produce berries, plan to plant at least two (if not several) shrubs. The shrubs are dioecious (either male or female) and only female plants bear fruits. Male plants are required for pollination.
How and When to Plant Bayberry
To plant bayberry, dig a hole at least twice the width and just as deep as your plant’s root ball in late summer or early fall. Southern bayberry can be planted or transplanted as late as early spring. Before placing your bayberry plant in the prepared hole, loosen the roots and spread them out across the width of the hole. Fill the hole halfway with the displaced soil and water thoroughly. Finish filling the hole just to the top of the root ball, but do not completely cover it. Water deeply.
If you are planting more than one bayberry plant, place them at least 5 to 10 feet apart (or slightly closer if building a hedge). Plant at least one male plant for every 5 female plants to ensure good fruit production.
Bayberry Care Tips
Whether native to the north or south, bayberry shrubs are adaptable to a wide variety of soils—and they smell gorgeous. Plus, the semi-evergreen to evergreen shrubs can tolerate drought, salt spray, erosion, and almost anything else you throw at them.
Light
Bayberry shrubs prefer full sun to partial shade—although their tolerances on either side of the spectrum vary by species. For the most part, bayberries with 5 hours or more of sun exposure each day will grow more fruit and have denser foliage.
Soil and Water
Bayberries are nitrogen-fixing shrubs that tolerate poor soils but grow best in sandy or peaty well-drained soil. Some varieties (like Morella caroliniensis and Myrica gale) are more accustomed to boggy conditions and wetland soils than others. Check the plant tag or ask your local gardening extension for clues about a particular species.
In general, bayberry shrubs are drought-tolerant once established but should be watered weekly in the first few months after planting. Some varieties (like Morella cerifera) are more drought-tolerant than others once established.
Temperature and Humidity
Temperature and humidity preference for bayberry shrubs vary widely by species. For example, northern bayberry prefers temperatures between 40˚ and 95˚ Fahrenheit. Also, with protection from harsh winds, it can tolerate winters with temperatures as low as 0˚ to -5˚. Morella cerifera (southern bayberry or wax myrtle), on the other hand, prefers temperatures between 60˚ and 100˚, but can not tolerate winters below 15˚ Fahrenheit.
In general, bayberry shrubs prefer moderate to high humidity, but check the plant tag for specific information about the temperature and humidity preferences of your bayberry plant.
Fertilizer
Bayberries do not require fertilization. In fact, bayberry shrubs are at an advantage in poor, difficult soils because they are nitrogen-fixers. This means they can alter the balance of the soil that surrounds them by converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms usable by other plants.
Pruning
Pruning is rarely necessary, but you can remove dead or damaged branches at any time to preserve the health of your bayberry shrub.
To structurally prune your bayberry shrub, wait until late winter or early spring when the plant is dormant. Be conservative with your cuts (remove no more than 1/4) and use sharp, sterile pruners to cut stray branches back to the central structure of the shrub.
If you wish to train your bayberry shrub into a tree form, wait until it is at least 3 to 4 feet tall and remove the lowest lateral branches from the central trunk. Next, remove any crossed or rubbing branches. Remove any new growth below the canopy as it appears.
Potting and Repotting
Some species of bayberry do well in containers with excellent drainage and well-drained soil. Choose a container 10 to 12 inches wider than your plant’s root ball. This will allow room for 2 to 3 years of growth.
If you need to repot your container-grown bayberry shrub, wait until late fall or early winter to minimize shock. Prepare a larger container with a well-drained sandy or loamy soil mix and water your plant thoroughly. Ease the plant from its pot by grasping the base of the central trunk. Loosen the roots gently and place the shrub in its new, prepared container. After repotting, keep the soil evenly moist for several weeks. Avoid pruning until after your shrub shows signs of new growth.
Pests and Problems
Bayberry shrubs are notably pest and disease-resistant (they even ward off deer and rabbits) but may have issues with boxwood blight, leaf anthracnose, and mosaic virus in some regions.
How to Propagate Bayberry
The easiest way to propagate bayberry is via division or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in midsummer. Using sharp, sterile shears select a healthy 4- to 6-inch semi-hardwood stem from the current season’s growth and remove any leaves from the bottom half of the stem. Make sure your cutting still has at least 2 to 3 leaves at the top of the stem. Scar the bottom edge of the cutting with your shears and dip it in rooting hormone. Plant the dipped end of the stem in a prepared container with a 1:1 mix of premoistened peat and perlite. Cover the container in a plastic bag and place it in a warm spot with indirect light. Keep the soil consistently moist (but not wet) until your cutting takes root. This may take several weeks or months. When your cutting has a solid root system, it can be transplanted outside.
To divide your bayberry shrub, look for suckers or new shoots around a female parent plant. Dig up the new shoot and cut it (along with its rhizomatous roots) from the parent plant using sharp, sterile shears. Remove most of the leaves from the divided shoot (leaving the top sets of leaves intact) and plant the shoot in a new location. Keep your freshly planted shoot well watered until it begins to take root and grow.
Types of Bayberry
Northern Bayberry
DENNY SCHROCK
Northern bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) is commonly referred to as simply “bayberry”. The deciduous shrub is native to eastern North America and hardy in zones 3-7. It typically grows 6 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide. Northern bayberry features glossy, gray-green leaves and bluish white berries popular among birds—like robins, bluebirds, mockingbirds, and warblers—and other wildlife.
Southern Wax Myrtle
DENNY SCHROCK
Wax myrtle (also known as Morella cerifera or southern bayberry) is a fast-growing evergreen tree or shrub native to North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. It grows happily in average to wet soils and full sun to partial shade and features glossy, aromatic, olive-green leaves and waxy grey-blue berries. Southern wax myrtle typically grows 10 to 12 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide, but the shrub can stretch as tall as 25 feet in favorable conditions.
Swamp Bayberry
Swamp bayberry (Myrica caroliniensis or Myrica heterophylla) is a shrub native to North America that is often found growing along the coastal plains. Confusingly, it is also sometimes referred to as southern bayberry. It is hardy in zones 7-9 and grows 5 to 8 feet tall and 5 to 9 feet wide. The leaves of swamp bayberry are not as fragrant as those of its northern and southern counterparts, but the shrub does produce fragrant, waxy, bluish-white fruits that are popular with wildlife.
Sweetgale
Sweetgale (a.k.a., Myrica Gale or bog myrtle) is an aromatic shrub that grows near lakes and in the bogs, marshes, and freshwater shrublands of hardiness zones 2-6. It typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. Sweetgale thrives in moist, acidic soils and bears sweetly scented grayish-green leaves and clusters of cone-like nutlets instead of berries.
Red Bayberry
Red bayberry (which also goes by Japanese bayberry, Chinese bayberry, and Myrica Rubra) is native to eastern China, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. It is typically found in warm coastal areas but is hardy in zones 8-10. Chinese bayberry tends to grow 10 to 30 feet tall (although they can grow much taller) with smooth gray bark, oblong green leaves, and large, thick-skinned fruits. Depending on the cultivar, the fruits may be crimson-red, purple, white or pink when ripe.
Companion Plants for Bayberry
American Cranberry
American cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) is a good companion for northern bayberry. Both are nitrogen-fixing shrubs that bear fruits which draw in birds and other wildlife. Like bayberries, American cranberries prefer full sun. They also like moist soil but cannot tolerate soggy or wet soil as well as bayberry shrubs. Popular cultivars of American cranberry grow 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide in zones 2-7.
California Lilac
Like bayberry shrubs, California lilacs (Ceanothus) are rugged nitrogen-fixing shrubs and trees that are hardy in zones 7-10. The smaller, low-growing California lilacs are also perfect for coastal gardens where their tough root systems can curb erosion in sandy, sloped landscapes. California lilacs prefer full sun to partial shade and are popular with pollinators thanks to their white, pink, blue, or purple flowers (depending on variety).
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort is a landscape workhorse that is a champion at erosion control and providing food and shelter to wildlife. The pretty shrub offers bright yellow flowers in late June followed by reddish-brown fall berries and (occasionally) evergreen foliage. Like bayberry, St. John's wort is a cinch to grow in almost any landscape in zones 3-9. It is also seldom browsed by deer and rabbits.
Yaupon Holly
Yaupon holly makes a great companion for southern wax myrtle as both prefer full sun or partial shade and can tolerate a wide range of soils—including wet, swampy areas. Like wax myrtle, yaupon holly is also tolerant of salt spray, so it’s a great choice for coastal gardens or roadside plantings where road-salt runoff may be an issue. Yaupon holly is hardy in zones 7-10 and tends to grow 6 to 20 feet tall and 3 to 10 feet wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How close should bayberry plants be placed to achieve cross-pollination?Bayberry shrubs are primarily wind-pollinated so they don't need to be directly next to each other for pollination to occur. Generally speaking, they should be placed 3 to 10 feet apart (depending on variety and landscape use) when planted in groups.
Bayberry shrubs are primarily wind-pollinated so they don't need to be directly next to each other for pollination to occur. Generally speaking, they should be placed 3 to 10 feet apart (depending on variety and landscape use) when planted in groups.
- How do I render wax from bayberry fruits?To render wax from your bayberry yield, place the berries in a large pot and fill the pot with cold water to just 2 to 3 inches above the berries. Gently simmer the berries (do not boil) for an hour and pour the water through cheesecloth into a reserved bowl or pot. Add fresh cold water to the berries, repeat the boiling and filtering process, and let the reserved water cool overnight. Your bayberry wax will harden on the surface of the water. To stretch your bayberry wax further, add beeswax in a 1:1 ratio.
To render wax from your bayberry yield, place the berries in a large pot and fill the pot with cold water to just 2 to 3 inches above the berries. Gently simmer the berries (do not boil) for an hour and pour the water through cheesecloth into a reserved bowl or pot. Add fresh cold water to the berries, repeat the boiling and filtering process, and let the reserved water cool overnight. Your bayberry wax will harden on the surface of the water. To stretch your bayberry wax further, add beeswax in a 1:1 ratio.
- How many bayberries do I need to make a candle?It varies by species and region, but you'll need about 15 pounds of berries to render 1 pound of wax.
It varies by species and region, but you'll need about 15 pounds of berries to render 1 pound of wax.
- What's the difference between northern bayberry and southern bayberry?The primary difference between northern bayberry and bayberry is hardiness. Northern bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) is hardy in zones 3-6 while southern bayberry (Morella cerifera) is hardy in zones 7-11. Southern bayberry also tends to grow taller.
The primary difference between northern bayberry and bayberry is hardiness. Northern bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) is hardy in zones 3-6 while southern bayberry (Morella cerifera) is hardy in zones 7-11. Southern bayberry also tends to grow taller.