Myrica cerifera 'Cold Hardy' (Southern Waxmyrtle)

Myrica cerifera, commonly known as southern wax myrtle and known by the other scientific moniker Morella cerifera, is a large, broad-leaved evergreen shrub with aromatic leaves; typically only semi-evergreen and growing to large sizes of 6-12' tall and wide, the 'Cold Hardy' cultivar from Turtle Creek Nursery is more compact, more slow-growing, and holds onto its leaves better than many other wax myrtles through colder conditions. Growing to around 5-8' tall and wide, Myrica cerifera 'Cold Hardy' is an extremely hardy shrub once established, and can be found in a wide range of habitats thanks to its tolerance of heat, cold, drought, poorly-draining wet soils, and even salt exposure. Though other Myrica cerifera cultivars can lose many of their leaves through cold, windy winters, the 'Cold Hardy' cultivar's denser branching means more leaf retention, more beauty, and more privacy for winter screens.

Southern wax myrtle blooms from early to late spring, depending on climate, and produces small, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers, which eventually turn to the blue-gray berries that give Myrica cerifera 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, and sustaining migrating bird populations well through the fall, and the plants' densely branching structure also allows for a variety of birds to nest and perch among its branches. With a ton of ecological appeal and a lot of versatility in the landscape, 'Cold Hardy' wax myrtle is an excellent addition to almost any landscape, specimen planting, or privacy screen.

Note: Myrica cerifera is dioecious, meaning that there are male and female plants; males and females must be planted together to produce the best fruit set for the birds.