WAX MYRTLE 

Myrica cerifera   (MY-ruh-kuh sir-RIFF-eh-ruh)      

Evergreen         Sun to part shade          Height 15 feet             Spread 10 feet           Spacing 8 - 12 feet

HABIT:  Moderately fast-growing, spreading, medium green, many small leaves, blue-gray berries in fall. Aromatic foliage dotted above and below.

CULTURE:        Easy, any soil, drought tolerant.

USES:              Specimen garden tree. Evergreen background. Good alternative to tree yaupon.

PROBLEMS:     Brittle wood, suckers.

NOTES:            Birds like the berries. Dwarf wax myrtle (M. pusilla) also is available. Native to the southern states and the eastern half of USA.