Dwarf Wax Myrtle

November 09, 2024 Post a Comment

Dwarf wax myrtle

Prized for foliage. Moderate growing; reaches 5 to 6 ft. tall and wide, slowly spreading.

How fast does dwarf wax myrtle grow?

Fast growth rate. From 3 to 5 feet of growth per year, the Wax Myrtle is one of the fastest-growing privacy hedges.

Do wax myrtles have invasive roots?

The USDA factsheet on wax myrtle says that this plant is easy to transplant bare root which suggests that it is not have much of a taproot (if any). Also wax myrtle spreads by sending up suckers from the roots and has been frequently used as a bonsai plant (more evidence that it has a fibrous root system).

Can you keep Pacific wax myrtle small?

If you find its height of 12 to 20 feet too tall or its spread of 10 to 15 feet too wide, this shrub is easily maintained at smaller sizes by hand pruning.

What is the lifespan of a wax myrtle?

Southern Wax Myrtle will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

Will wax myrtles survive a freeze?

Evergreens and more frost-resistant trees and shrubs should fare better. Common examples of this group of plants are yaupon hollies, wax myrtles, and crape myrtles. These species may brown in sections, but ultimately survive.

Does wax myrtle repel mosquitoes?

First, Wax Myrtle. The plant has a little pungent odor when the leaves are rubbed. It's a native, so that makes it really inexpensive as mosquito control for the area, Gaskins said. The plant can be used as a hedge for front or backyards, and it works really well in pots.

Are wax myrtles cold hardy?

The Waxmyrtle is winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-10 where it is easily grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun to dappled or part shade. It even grows in the elusive dry shade.

Does wax myrtle need full sun?

Wax Myrtle can be grown in full sun or part shade. Plants growing in more sun will have more dense foliage. A minimum of 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight is suggested.

What is the difference between a wax myrtle and a southern wax myrtle?

The natural shape of the southern wax myrtle is a large rounded shrub or multi-trunk tree they can

What kills wax myrtle?

Triclopyr-based herbicides cause supressed or abnormal growth that disrupts and eventually kills the crape myrtle. The herbicide may be applied to the foliage, the roots, or both. As with other broadleaf herbicides, crape myrtle trees absorb the poison and circulate it, causing the tree to die.

Do wax myrtles smell?

The wax myrtle belongs to the wax myrtle family (Myricaceae), and is characterized by the aromatic glands found on the surfaces of its leaves. These glands release a sweet odor when crushed.

Do wax myrtles need a lot of water?

Southern wax myrtle tolerates moist and dry soils, but grows best when watered around the drip line every 10 to 14 days; however, don't water your tree around the trunk.

Does wax myrtle spread?

To produce an unbroken hedge, your wax myrtles must be no farther apart than their eventual spread, usually about 20 or 25 feet. If each plant reaches 20 feet, and therefore spreads to 10 feet on each side, then two hedges will eventually meet in the middle of a 20-foot spacing.

Can I grow myrtle in a container?

If in a pot, feed myrtle throughout the growing season with something rich in potash to ensure flowering, and give it room to grow into: it can grow up to 2.5m tall and that wide again, so needs a pot at least 30cm wide, bigger if you expect fruit to form.

Can you cut back wax myrtle?

It is a fairly wispy open plant, so it shouldn't be casting too much shade on your neighbor's grass, but in the interest of good neighborhood relations, you can certainly prune it back to 8 to 10 feet. Wax myrtle is very forgiving of pruning, and we saw several different suggestions when we searched on the Internet.

How quickly do wax myrtles grow?

Wax myrtle often exhibits growth of 3 to 5 feet (1-1.5 m.) a year. As a shrub it has a rounded, narrow form and is attractive when limbed up for use as a small tree. Use the wax myrtle tree in mixed shrub borders and as shade for the deck or patio.

Do wax myrtles attract bees?

Myrica cerifera Birds such as wild turkey, quail, waterfowl, catbirds, bluebirds and warblers are attracted to the pale blue berries that the female plants grow in the fall and maintain throughout the winter. Butterflies and bees will also flock to tree, but because of its aromatic foliage, it will repel insects.

Do birds like wax myrtles?

The southern wax myrtle is one of the most prolific berry-producing plants. Thousands of small, waxy, blue fruit are produced in clusters or mounds along stems. This is a must-have plant for bird lovers, as it feeds about 40 species. The waxy fruit was once boiled and used to make bayberry candles.

How do I make my wax myrtles thicker?

How to Make a Wax Myrtle Thick

Cut wax myrtle back to 12 inches tall in late winter when the shrub is one to two years old to encourage compact growth.
Prune off tips of new shoots during the growing season to promote branching. ...
Clip branches during each growing season to encourage additional branches for a thick shrub.