The southern waxmyrtle (Morella cerifera) is a great evergreen shrub or small tree for Georgia backyards.  The plant is attractive and provides food and cover for birds and other wildlife.

       Since this Georgia native grows 3-5  feet a year and can reach a height of 15 feet or more, it can be used to create an ideal natural privacy fence.  If you use it for this purpose, place the transplants 4-5 feet part at least 5 feet from your property line.

       The shrub’s thick foliage creates super nesting sites for birds as well as a place to escape severe weather and predators.

       Female plants produce  1/8” purplish berries that at least 42 species of birds eat.  Some of the birds that dine on waxmyrtle berries are gray catbirds, eastern bluebirds, ruby-crowned kinglets, eastern towhees and the yellow-rumped warblers.  In fact, before the bird’s name was changed, it was known as the myrtle warbler because it eats lots of waxmyrtle berries in the winter.

       Keep in mind only female plants produce the berries. Consequently, if you want your waxmyrtles to produce berries for birds, you must plant at least one male plant.  One male will pollinate all of the female plants within a 40-foot radius.  The problem is most of the plants you purchase will be females.  As such, make sure the folks that sell you your waxmyrtles are supplying you at with at least one male.

       I hope you will give waxmyrtle a try.  It will grow in a wide range of soil types, requires little maintenance and is attractive. What more can you ask?