Bayberrylong prized for its fragrant foliage and berriesis a hardworking, fuss-free shrub that works in almost any landscape.
Bayberry is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub with leathery, aromatic leaves and delightfully fragrant, waxy berries.
There are dozens of species of bayberry, but the most common varieties are northern and southern bayberry.
Credit:Denny Schrock
Both are deer-resistant,salt-tolerant, and capable of thriving in a wide range of soils.
Bayberry shrubs are part of the taxonomic familyMyricaceaeand were once all classified under the genusMyrica.
That name is now controversial.
Credit:Denny Schrock
Where to Plant Bayberry
Bayberry plants tolerate salt spray.
So, they make excellent coastal plantings but may have stunted growth in windswept areas.
The evergreen/semi-evergreen shrubs are also effective aterosion controland stabilizing sandy, coastal landscapes.
Credit:Denny Schrock
In the garden, bayberries tolerate both wet and dry soils.
Use them alongside ponds and streams or plant them at your gardens edge to deter hungry deer.
Bayberries make excellentfoundation and hedge plantsespecially when planted along walkways where you might brush by their aromatic foliage.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
The shrubs are dioecious (either male or female) and only female plants bear fruits.
Male plants are required for pollination.
Southern bayberry can be planted or transplanted as late as early spring.
Fill the hole halfway with the displaced soil and water thoroughly.
Finish filling the hole just to the top of the root ball, but do not completely cover it.
Plant at least one male plant for every 5 female plants to ensure good fruit production.
Some varieties (likeMorella caroliniensisandMyrica gale) are more accustomed toboggy conditions and wetland soilsthan others.
Check the plant tag or ask your local gardening extension for clues about a particular species.
In general, bayberry shrubs aredrought-tolerantonce established but should be watered weekly in the first few months after planting.
Credit: Dency Kane
Some varieties (likeMorella cerifera) are more drought-tolerant than others once established.
Temperature and Humidity
Temperature and humidity preference for bayberry shrubs vary widely by species.
For example, northern bayberry prefers temperatures between 40 and 95 Fahrenheit.
Fertilizer
Bayberries do not require fertilization.
In fact, bayberry shrubs are at an advantage in poor, difficult soils because they are nitrogen-fixers.
To structurally prune your bayberry shrub, wait until late winter or early spring when the plant is dormant.
Next, remove any crossed or rubbing branches.
Remove any new growth below the canopy as it appears.
Potting and Repotting
Some species of bayberry do well in containers with excellent drainage andwell-drained soil.
Choose a container 10 to 12 inches wider than your plants root ball.
This will allow room for 2 to 3 years of growth.
If you oughta repot your container-grown bayberry shrub, wait until late fall or early winter to minimize shock.
Prepare a larger container with a well-drained sandy or loamy soil mix and water your plant thoroughly.
Ease the plant from its pot by grasping the base of the central trunk.
Loosen the roots gently and place the shrub in its new, prepared container.
After repotting, keep the soil evenly moist for several weeks.
Avoid pruning until after your shrub shows signs of new growth.
confirm your cutting still has at least 2 to 3 leaves at the top of the stem.
Scar the bottom edge of the cutting with your shears and dip it inrooting hormone.
Plant the dipped end of the stem in a prepared container with a 1:1 mix of premoistenedpeat and perlite.
Cover the container in a plastic bag and place it in a warm spot with indirect light.
Keep the soil consistently moist (but not wet) until your cutting takes root.
This may take several weeks or months.
When your cutting has a solid root system, it can be transplanted outside.
To divide your bayberry shrub, look for suckers or new shoots around a female parent plant.
Keep your freshly planted shoot well watered until it begins to take root and grow.
The deciduous shrub is native to eastern North America and hardy in zones 3-7.
It typically grows 6 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide.
Confusingly, it is also sometimes referred to as southern bayberry.
It is hardy in zones 7-9 and grows 5 to 8 feet tall and 5 to 9 feet wide.
It typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide.
It is typically found in warm coastal areas but is hardy in zones 8-10.
Depending on the cultivar, the fruits may be crimson-red, purple, white or pink when ripe.
Both are nitrogen-fixing shrubs that bear fruits which draw in birds and other wildlife.
Like bayberries, American cranberries prefer full sun.
They also like moist soil but cannot tolerate soggy or wet soil as well as bayberry shrubs.
Popular cultivars of American cranberry grow 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide in zones 2-7.
Like bayberry, St. John’s wort is a cinch to grow in almost any landscape in zones 3-9.
It is alsoseldom browsed by deer and rabbits.
Your bayberry wax will harden on the surface of the water.
To stretch your bayberry wax further, add beeswax in a 1:1 ratio.
The primary difference between northern bayberry and bayberry is hardiness.
Southern bayberry also tends to grow taller.
North Carolina Extension Gardener - Plant Toolbox.
North Carolina State University.
