Myrica cerifera 'Don's Dwarf' (Dwarf Southern Waxmyrtle) Unity Grown

Myrica cerifera 'Don's Dwarf' is a cultivar of southern wax myrtle, a large, broad-leaved evergreen shrub with aromatic leaves. The 'Don's Dwarf' variety is a more compact version of the straight species: while the straight species can grow to a maximum height of 25-35' tall and 8-10' wide, Myrica cerifera 'Don's Dwarf' grows to only four to six feet tall and wide.

'Don's Dwarf' is an extremely hardy shrub once established, and can be found in a wide range of habitats thanks to its tolerance of heat and drought as well as poorly-draining wet soils, including salt saturated ones. 'Don's Dwarf' is not, however, very tolerant of cold temperatures, and foliage will look best in mild winters; cold, windy winters can cause the plant to defoliate.

Dwarf southern wax myrtle blooms in early to late spring, depending on climate, and produces small, inconspciuous yellow-green flowers, which eventually turn to the blue-gray berries that give wax myrtle its other common name of waxberry. Waxberries are an excellent food source for a variety of birds, with their waxy coating protecting them from water and heat damage. Dwarf southern wax myrtle also has a compact branching structure , which allows for a variety of birds to nest and perch among its branches.

Notes: Myrica cerifera is dioecious, meaning that there are male and female plants; males and females must be planted together to produce the best fruiting results.