Northern Bayberry or Swamp Candleberry
Myrica pensylvanica (MYRICACEAE)
Planting and Growing Northern Bayberry
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow northern bayberry or swamp candleberry in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and berries of northern bayberry or swamp candleberry
- Growing conditions for northern bayberry or swamp candleberry
- When and where to plant northern bayberry or swamp candleberry
- How to plant northern bayberry or swamp candleberry
- How to shape, prune and control growth of northern bayberry or swamp candleberry
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of northern bayberry or swamp candleberry
- Landscape uses of northern bayberry or swamp candleberry
- Pest and disease control for northern bayberry or swamp candleberry
Growing Northern Bayberry
Single species of medium-growing, dense, spreading, deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub, to 9 ft. (2.7 m) tall, with waxy, yellow green, broad, oval leaves, to 4 in. (10 cm) long, often with conspicuous wax secretions.
Pacific wax myrtle, Myrica californica, is a closely related species with similar care needs.
Northern Bayberry Planting Guide
Flowers and Fruit
Inconspicuous, white flowers form small, gray, wax-coated berrylike fruit in autumn, persisting to winter.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 2–9; ground hardy, zones 5–8.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist to dry, well-drained soil. Fertility: Average–low. 5.5–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun to partial shade. Space 5–7 ft. (1.5–2.2 m) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist; allow soil surface to dry between waterings until established. Drought tolerant. Fertilize annually in spring. Prune to maintain size and dense habit. Propagate by layering, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for borders, hedges, massed plantings in landscapes. Fruit attracts birds. Source of bayberry essential oil and aromatic bayberry wax. Drought, salt, shade, wind tolerant. Pest and disease resistant.