Morella pensylvanica
Northern Bayberry
Please register or login to build your personal plant list.Northern Bayberry is a densely branching, evergreen shrub. The waxy coating is used to make candles, scented by the fragrance of the crushed...
Description:
Northern Bayberry is a densely branching, evergreen shrub. It is dioecious, with male and female catkins on separate plants. The fertilized female flowers are followed by tiny, round, waxy, gray fruits, which persist through winter. The waxy coating is used to make candles, scented by the fragrance of the crushed leaves. The berries are an excellent food source for birds. Northern Bayberry is an important host plant for larvae (caterpillars) of the Columbia Silkmoth (Hyalophora columbia). Use Northern Bayberry in mass plantings for your shrub border or for naturalized areas in your yard. Its salt tolerance makes it an ideal choice for a seaside garden.
Plant Details:
Other Scientific Names: Myrica pensylvanica
Other Common Names: Candleberry
Plant Type: Shrub
New Jersey Native: Yes
Bloom Times: Spring
Bloom Colors: Yellow, Green
Deer Resistance: High
Attracts Pollinators and Wildlife: Butterflies, Birds
Salt Tolerance: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 6a
Physiographic Region: All Regions in NJ
Grows in Special Ecoregions: Barrier Island/Coastal, Pinelands
Soil Characteristics
Soil Type: Loam, Organic, Sandy
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic, Slightly Acidic, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline
Light Needs of Plant
Optimal Light: Full Sun
Light Range: Full Sun, Partial Shade
Water Needs of Plant
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Size and Growth Rate
Height: 5 - 12 ft
Spread: 5 - 12 ft
Growth Rate: Slow