Southern Wax Myrtle is an upright multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with aromatic glossy olive green foliage. The flowers are inconspicuous but fragrant and the female flowers give way to clusters of blue-grey berries that persist into winter. Best in full sun and moist soils. Can be considered a fire hazard in some areas, as the aromatic compounds of the foliage and stems are flammable.
Type: |
|
Origins: |
Caribbean and SE N. America; GA Native |
Height: |
10’ - 15’ |
Spread: |
8’ - 10’ |
Spacing: |
8’ |
USDA Hardiness Zone: |
7-10 |
Culture: |
|
Bloom Color: |
Green |
Season of Interest: |
MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low maintenance plant. Leaf browning, leaf anthracnose, and leaf mosaic can be issues. Can tolerate both drought and wet soils.
LANDSCAPE USES: Accents and Group Plantings, Borders, Rock Gardens, Woodland Gardens, Naturalized Areas, Wildlife Garden, Ponds and Streams, Hedges, Foundation Plantings, and Containers.
COMPANION PLANTS: Dogwood, Sedge, Turtlehead
Image: Homer Edward Price, Wax Myrtle (5598839629), CC BY 2.0