Myrica pensylvanica

AKA Morella pensylvanica
Waxy yellowish-green catkins appear before the leaves
Fragrant glossy grayish-green foliage
Female plants produce clusters of tiny grayish-white fruits in late summer
Upright oval habit
Nitrogen-fixing species
Bloom Time: May

ZONE:
3

COLOUR:
Multi-coloured, Yellow

HEIGHT:
175-200 cm

SPREAD:
175-200 cm

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Growing and Maintenance Tips:

Bayberry grows best in a slightly acidic soil, however, it will tolerate light to heavy soils, and medium to very dry conditions. Also salt-tolerant. Suckering freely, it is excellent for re-naturalization. Use in the woodland garden, shrub border, as a screen or informal hedge. Dioecious: if fruit is desired, it is best to plant several plants, to increase the likelihood of having some males and some females.

Additional Notes about Bayberry:

Native to Ontario

The aromatic fruits are used fresh or dried to flavour soups, stews and sometimes put in beer to improve flavour and increase foaming. The dried leaves make a delicate tea. Wax from the fruit's pulp is used in candle making and a fragrant essential oil can be extracted from the fruit. The bark can be used to dye wool.

Larval host for many native moths including the Columbia Silkmoth. The small waxy fruits feed up to 75 species of birds.