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Myrtle, Southern Wax
Myrica cerifera
Southern Wax Myrtle is a fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree native to East and Southeast Texas, commonly found in sandy soils and along woodland edges. It is valued for its fine-textured, aromatic foliage and its ability to form dense screens quickly. Female plants produce small blue-gray berries that are highly attractive to birds. In Texas landscapes, it is widely used for privacy hedges, windbreaks, and naturalized plantings.
This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soils, though it will tolerate sandy and moderately poor soils. In Central Texas, performance can vary in heavy alkaline soils, and it prefers soil improvement or placement in more organic and well-drained areas. Once established, it is moderately drought tolerant but performs best with occasional deep watering during extended dry periods. Mature size typically ranges from 10–20 feet tall and 8–15 feet wide, depending on pruning and training. For hedge plantings, spacing 4–6 feet apart allows for quick fill-in. It is not considered toxic and is generally deer tolerant once established.
Southern Wax Myrtle responds well to pruning and can be maintained as a large shrub or trained into a small multi-trunk tree. Because it is fast growing, occasional shaping may be required to maintain a tidy form in formal landscapes. It is particularly well suited for East Texas and Gulf Coast regions but can perform in Central Texas with proper site selection and soil awareness.
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Texas native |
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Bird friendly |
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Fast growing |
Flower Color:yellow-green
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Height:10-20 Feet
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Spread:8-15 Feet
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Spacing:4-6 ft
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USDA Hardiness Zone 7b
Available Sizes:
| Item |
Description |
| MYR-SWX-05 |
#005 MYRTLE, SOUTHERN WAX |
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| MYR-SWX-30 |
#030 MYRTLE, SOUTHERN WAX |
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| MYR-SWX-15 |
#015 MYRTLE, SOUTHERN WAX |
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Characteristics & Attributes
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Deer Tolerance
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Exposure
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Full Sun |
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Full Sun to Part Shade |
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Habit
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Soil pH Preference
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Water Needs
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Texas Native
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Tolerates Poor Drainage
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