Wax Myrtle

Wax Myrtle – Fragrant, Evergreen Versatility for Austin Landscapes

Wax Myrtle is one of the most adaptable and useful native evergreens for Central Texas. With fine-textured, aromatic foliage and naturally upright form, it delivers softness, fragrance, and movement to a wide range of landscapes. The standard form grows quickly into a dense screen or small tree, while the dwarf variety offers a compact option ideal for borders, courtyards, and smaller gardens.

In the landscape, Wax Myrtle brings a relaxed, coastal feel that complements native and water-wise plantings across Austin. Its evergreen foliage holds color through winter, and the small, wax-coated berries that give the plant its name attract songbirds throughout the cooler months. Once established, it thrives in full sun or partial shade, tolerates heat, drought, and wind, and adapts readily to a range of soils — from sandy or loamy areas to heavier clays when drainage is adequate.

Both the full-size and dwarf forms are fast-growing, low-maintenance, and dependable — offering designers and homeowners a flexible palette for naturalistic screening, modern foundations, and wildlife-friendly gardens.

Landscape Performance

• Standard Form (Myrica cerifera): 10–20ft H, 8–15ft W
• Dwarf Form (Myrica cerifera var. pumila): 3–6ft H, 4–6ft W
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Form: Multi-stemmed, upright (standard) to compact rounded (dwarf)
• Foliage: Fine-textured, aromatic evergreen leaves
• Necesidad de luz: Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Necesidad de agua: Low to Medium once established
• Resistencia al frío: Zone 7a (≈ 0–5 °F)

Design Uses

• Standard form for privacy screens, natural fences, or small evergreen trees
• Dwarf form for borders, courtyards, and low hedges
• Combines beautifully with Yaupon Holly, Red Yucca, Lindheimer Muhly, and Dwarf Palmetto
• Provides soft texture contrast beside agaves, boulders, or ornamental grasses

Atención

• Poda: Light shaping after spring growth keeps plants dense and balanced; can be maintained as a natural screen or sheared for formality.
• Riego: Moderate during establishment; afterward, deep occasional watering supports drought tolerance and even growth.
• Suelo: Adapts to clay, loam, or sandy soils if drainage is fair.
• Fertilizer: Feed each spring with MicroLife Multi-Purpose 6-2-4 to encourage healthy new growth and rich color.
• Initial Planting:
  • On heavier soils, plant slightly high to promote air movement and drainage.
  • On lean or sandy sites, amend with compost to retain moisture during establishment.
• Mulching: Maintain a 2–3-inch layer around the base to conserve moisture and insulate roots. Keep mulch away from stems.
• Mantenimiento: Remove crossing or shaded interior branches every few years to enhance airflow and renew growth.

En Leaf Landscape Supply, we carry both Wax Myrtle and Dwarf Wax Myrtle, along with a full range of evergreen natives and Texas-tough shrubs. Visit us with your designer — our Certified Professionals are ready to help you select the perfect form for your landscape.