Southern Wax Myrtle For Sale

Fast-Growing Privacy Solution for Year-Round Screening Wax myrtle delivers dense, evergreen screening faster than almost any other privacy plant on the market. This fast growing evergreen shrub or small tree can add up to 5 feet of new growth annually, transforming an exposed yard into a secluded retreat in just a few seasons. With its aromatic, glossy foliage and year-round greenery, wax myrtle is a hardy plant built for homeowners who need privacy now-not five years from now. Why You'll Love It Rapid Growth – Wax Myrtles can grow up to 5 feet annually under optimal conditions, filling in your screen or hedge line far quicker than most competing evergreen species. Drought Tolerant & Low Maintenance – Once established, this is a remarkably tough, drought tolerant plant that asks very little of you. It thrives with minimal supplemental watering and rarely needs fertilizing thanks to its nitrogen-fixing roots. Salt & Coastal Tough – The plant is drought-tolerant and salt-tolerant, making it an outstanding choice for beach-adjacent and coastal California properties where salt spray and sandy soil conditions challenge other plants. Wildlife Magnet – Female wax myrtle plants produce blue-white waxy berries in fall and winter that serve as a critical winter food source for birds. The flowers also attract butterflies and beneficial insects seeking nectar. Versatile Landscape Use – Use it as a privacy hedge, windbreak, specimen tree, or foundation shrub. Wax Myrtles can be pruned for a multi trunk tree form or left to grow naturally as a dense shrub-whatever your landscape calls for. What Makes It Different Most privacy plants struggle when conditions aren't perfect. Heavy clay, sandy soil, salty wind, periodic drought-pick your challenge, and most evergreens will show stress. Wax myrtle offers: Thrives in Wet and Dry Extremes – Wax myrtle is highly adaptable and can thrive in various soil conditions, from seasonally flooded lowlands to well-drained sandy sites. Few screening plants handle this range. Performs in Full Sun and Partial Shade – Best dense foliage develops in full sun, but wax myrtle trees also tolerate partial shade without losing their screening value entirely. Compare that to alternatives like Leyland Cypress, which demands consistent sun. Naturally Resistant – The plant generally resists pests and deer, due to its aromatic foliage. You won't spend weekends battling deer damage, scale insects, or fungal infections the way you might with Red Tip Photinia or privet hedges. How To Grow The Wax Myrtle Successfully Plant with Proper Spacing Plant Wax Myrtles 5 to 6 feet apart for a hedge. For specimen use or a more open screen, space them 8–12 feet apart. Space Wax Myrtles at least 5 feet from property lines to allow for mature spread. Position in full sun for the densest foliage, though partial shade works for less demanding applications. Establish and Watch It Grow Water deeply and consistently through the first one to two growing seasons. A 2-inch layer of organic mulch helps keep roots moist and suppresses weeds. During this establishment window, expect vigorous vertical and lateral growth-young plants will begin forming a visible screen within the first two to three years. Enjoy Year-Round Screening At maturity, wax myrtle can reach 10 to 25 feet in height with similarly broad spread, delivering dense foliage that blocks views, buffers wind, and provides habitat for birds and pollinators. Wax myrtle has dense cover and provides year-round greenery, so your privacy never takes a seasonal break. They are ideal for creating privacy screens in gardens of all sizes. Plant Details Mature Size: Wax myrtle can reach 10 to 25 feet in height with a similar spread. Compact cultivars like 'Fairfax' stay at 4–5 feet tall for tighter spaces. Growth Rate: Wax Myrtles can grow up to 5 feet annually in favorable conditions (USDA zones 7–10, full sun, adequate moisture during establishment). Seasonal Characteristics: Evergreen year-round. Female plants produce clusters of blue-gray waxy berries in fall and winter; wax myrtles are dioecious, meaning female plants require male plants nearby for berry production through pollination. The wax from the berries can be used to make traditionally-scented candles-a historical use dating back to the colonial era. Soil & Water: Tolerates a broad range of soil types-sandy, loamy, or clay. Preferred soil pH is 6.0–8.0. They tolerate drought, salt, and sandy soils once established. Wax myrtles are nitrogen-fixing plants, improving soil quality in poor or depleted ground. Hardiness: Wax Myrtles thrive in planting zones 7 to 11. Pacific wax myrtle (Myrica californica) is the native species best suited for California's coastal and inland climates. Light: Full sun produces the most dense foliage and heaviest berry set. Tolerates partial shade, though growth may become more open and thin in deep shade. Form: Naturally grows as a multi-stemmed shrub. Wax myrtles may be pruned to create small ornamental trees or shrubs, including an attractive multi trunk tree silhouette. Available Sizes: Container-grown plants from Yardwork in multiple sizes for faster establishment and quicker screening results. Who It's For Ideal for: California homeowners seeking fast growing privacy hedges that establish quickly along a property line Coastal properties where salt spray, sand, and wind eliminate most other screening options Challenging sites with poor soil conditions, intermittent flooding, or drought-anywhere other tall evergreen hedging plants have failed Landscapers working on large privacy or environmental restoration projects-the plant is used in environmental restoration for erosion control along coastlines and disturbed sites Wildlife-friendly gardeners who want to attract birds, butterflies, and pollinators while still achieving a functional screen If you want a deer resistant, low-maintenance evergreen that handles whatever your soil type and climate throw at it, wax myrtle fits your needs. Frequently Asked Questions How fast will I get privacy? Wax Myrtles can grow up to 5 feet annually under ideal conditions. Planting larger container specimens (15-gallon) in spring gives you a noticeable screen within 2–3 years. Smaller containers take slightly longer but still outpace most tall hedges for privacy. When and how should I prune? Prune Wax Myrtles in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Avoid removing more than one-third of the canopy in a single season. You can shear for a formal hedge shape, thin interior stems for better airflow, or selectively prune to create a smooth, clean multi trunk tree form. Wax myrtle is known for its aromatic foliage and waxy blue-gray berries-light pruning keeps both on full display. What soil and light does it need? Wax myrtle tolerates virtually any soil type from sand to clay, with a pH range of 6.0–8.0. Full sun is best for dense growth, but partial shade is fine. The leaves of wax myrtle can even be used as a culinary seasoning-a bonus for the green thumb with a kitchen garden. Do I need both male and female plants? Wax myrtles are dioecious, so you need both male and female plants if you want berry production. Male plants provide pollen; female plants produce the waxy berries that birds rely on through winter. For a pure privacy hedge where berries aren't a priority, either sex works. Does Yardwork deliver and help with planting?Our team can help with plant spacing guidance, soil testing recommendations, and choosing the best privacy bushes for your specific site. Ready to Create Your Privacy Screen? Stop waiting seasons for slow-growing hedges to fill in. Wax myrtle delivers the dense, evergreen screening your property needs-fast.