1/3 to ¾ inches wide, sometimes bigger (4½ inches long and 2 inches wide). Inconspicuous flowers appear in early spring, followed by fruit in late summer through winter. The grayish-white fruits are small (1/8 inch wide), heavily coated with wax and massed in clusters on the stems of the previous season’s growth. Wax myrtle plants are either male or female. Only female plants bear berries.

GROWTH RATE

Wax myrtle grows very fast, sometimes as much as 5 feet in height and width in a single growing season.

LANDSCAPE USE

Wax myrtles are useful as screen plants, informal hedges, or roadside plantings. The foliage and berries are pleasantly aromatic. Birds are attracted to wax myrtles, which they use for food and shelter. The waxy berries were used for making candles in Colonial times.

Wax myrtles make good beach plants, since they tolerate drought, sand, sun and salt spray.

CULTIVATION

Wax myrtles are not particular about soil, but they prefer good drainage and slightly acidic soils.

Plant shrubs in partial shade to full sun. They do not require a lot of maintenance. Plants may be pruned (limbed up) to form an attractive small tree with a handsome gray, almost white bark.

Wax myrtles are sensitive to cold. Cold symptoms include browning of leaves and sometimes defoliation, but stem tissue is not injured.

CULTIVARS AND VARIETIES

‘Fairfax’ is a compact spreading form, 4 to 5 feet high,. The leaves are lighter green than those of the species.

‘Georgia Gem’ is a small, compact mounded form, used as a groundcover. It will grow 12 to 18 inches high and 30 to 36 inches wide with yellow-green to dark olive green leaves that are smaller than the species.