The Pacific wax myrtle is a woody evergreen shrub or small tree native to coastal areas from Santa Monica Mountains north to Washington state. It has large, dense branches covered with dark green, shiny leaves that have a bayberry scent when crushed. Small flowers bloom in spring, followed by showy purple-brown fruits in fall. The wax myrtle is a popular garden plant that is useful for screening, hedges, or training as a multi-trunk tree. It tolerates seaside conditions and provides excellent habitat for birds. This low-maintenance shrub prefers full sun to light shade and well-drained soil with occasional summer watering.

1. Pacific (California) Wax Myrtle – Morella (Myrica) californica
(mor-EL-a kal-ih-FOR-nik-uh)
Family: Myricaceae (Wax Myrtle Family)
From the Santa Monica Mountains north to WA; ocean sand dunes, moist hill sides,
canyons, slopes, marshes and along streams near the coast.
Native to:
Growth characteristics: woody shrub/small tree mature height:10-15+ ft. mature width:10-15+ ft.
Large, dense, evergreen shrub with many branches. Leaves dark green, shiny, mildly sticky -have a
characteristic ‘Bayberry’ scent when crushed. Bark red-brown aging to Gray. Nitrogen-fixing roots.
Blooms in spring (Mar-May). Flowers small, in drooping catkins (separate male &
female flowers on same shrub). Clusters of showy, purple-brown fruits in fall.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: A favorite garden shrub since the 1800’s. Good-looking year-round. Useful as
a screen, clipped or informal hedge or even trained as multi-trunk small tree. Tolerates seaside
conditions. Great in woodland settings or as a large foundation plant. ‘Buxifolia’ cultivar is smaller.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs such as privets (Ligustrum spp).
Excellent bird habitat plant - berries (and insects) attract Flickers, Robins, Finches,
Bushtits, Chickadees, Ruby Crowned Kinglets and Crows.
Attracts:
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to light shade; does not like high temperatures.
Well-drained soils; don’t over-water in clays; tolerates acid soils (pH: 4.0-8.0)
Likes some summer water (Zone 2; Zone 2-3 in very sandy soils); mulch.
Not needed; use an organic mulch.
Control thrips, spider mites.
Easy with appropriate watering. Can be selectively pruned or sheared. Pinch tips
when young to promote fuller growth.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: clean; moist-cold treat seeds by cuttings: layering, hardwood, semi-soft.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 5-9, 11, 13, 14, 19, 20, 24, 26
2/18/11
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