Wax Myrtle
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Fast (3-4 ft/year)
- Full Sun to Part Shade
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Deer resistant
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About Wax Myrtle
Southern Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) is a native Georgia evergreen shrub that grows quickly to 15-20 feet, forming a loose, multi-stemmed screen with aromatic, olive-green leaves that release a spicy fragrance when crushed. As a Piedmont and Coastal Plain native, it is naturally adapted to Gwinnett County's clay soils, summer humidity, and periodic drought, requiring no soil amendment or special care once established. It tolerates wet spots and dry spots equally well, a rare trait among screening plants, and thrives in poor soil where less adaptable shrubs struggle. Female plants produce small blue-gray berries in fall and winter that are an important food source for songbirds, particularly migrating yellow-rumped warblers. Because it grows fast and takes hard pruning well, Wax Myrtle is popular as an informal, lower-maintenance alternative to Leyland Cypress for customers who want a native, wildlife-friendly screen rather than a manicured formal hedge. It is not reliably deer-browsed thanks to its aromatic foliage.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 15-20 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 10-15 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun to Part Shade |
| Water Needs | Low to Moderate — drought tolerant once established |
| Bloom Season | Spring (inconspicuous, followed by fall/winter berries on female plants) |
| Growth Rate | Fast (3-4 ft/year) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | Yes |
| Pet Safe | Yes |
| Native to Georgia | Yes |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Wax Myrtle adapts to nearly any Gwinnett County soil, from wet clay drainage swales to dry sandy slopes, and needs no amendment at planting. Space plants 6-8 feet apart for a naturalistic screen, or prune annually to maintain a more formal hedge shape. Water weekly the first season; afterward it is drought tolerant and rarely needs supplemental irrigation except in extreme heat.
Fast Facts
- Georgia native evergreen shrub/small tree
- Mature height: 15-20 ft, width 10-15 ft
- Fast growth: 3-4 ft per year
- Extremely adaptable — tolerates wet or dry soil
- Aromatic foliage deters deer browsing
- Female plants produce berries that feed songbirds
Pairs Well With
Wax Myrtle FAQs
Is Wax Myrtle native to Georgia?
Yes, Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) is native throughout Georgia's Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions, including Gwinnett County. It is naturally adapted to local clay soils and climate, requiring no soil amendment and tolerating both wet and dry planting sites better than most screening shrubs.
Does Wax Myrtle work in wet areas?
Yes, Wax Myrtle tolerates poorly drained, seasonally wet soil better than almost any other privacy shrub, making it ideal for low spots or drainage swales in Georgia yards. It also tolerates dry, sandy conditions, giving it unusual flexibility across varying soil types on one property.
Do wax myrtles attract birds?
Yes, female Wax Myrtle shrubs produce small waxy blue-gray berries in fall and winter that are a favorite food of yellow-rumped warblers and other songbirds. Planting both male and female specimens ensures reliable berry production for wildlife value.