Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, peaty or sandy, acidic soils, but tolerates a wide range of soils and growing conditions, including poor soils, wet soils, drought, high winds and salt spray (seashore or road salt conditions). Groupings of plants need a least one male plant to facilitate pollination of the female plants and subsequent fruit set. Shrubs tend to sucker, and may form sizable colonies in optimum growing conditions. Shrubs are semi-evergreen in southern end of growing range.
Bayberry is a dense-branching deciduous shrub with a rounded habit that typically grows to 6-10’ tall. Native to North America, species plants are primarily found growing along the eastern coast (including seashore) from Newfoundland to North Carolina. This is mostly a dioecious shrub (male and female flowers appear in separate catkins on separate plants). ‘Morton’ is a female clone that was introduced into commerce by the Morton Arboretum. It is a compact, suckering shrub that typically grows to 5’ tall and 7’ wide. Attractive gray-green foliage is aromatic when crushed. Tiny flowers bloom in spring. Flowers are not showy, with only the male ones displaying some color (a drab yellowish-green). Female flowers, if pollinated, give way to waxy berries that persist throughout the winter. Fruits mature to dark purple and are covered with an aromatic, waxy substance. The fruits of the species have been used for many years to make bayberry candles, soaps and sealing wax. Fruits are attractive to birds.
No serious insect or disease problems.
Best in groups or massed. A versatile shrub that can be used in woodland gardens or shrub borders, as a screen or informal hedge, in wet or shady sites, or on a bank for erosion control. Salt tolerant. Interesting plant for grouping in the corner of a large herb garden.
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Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110(314) 577-5100 hours and admission
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Faust Park, 15193 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63017(636) 530-0076 hours and admission
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Hwy. 100 & I-44 Gray Summit, MO 63039(636) 451-3512 hours and admission