Myrica pensylvanica is a tough semi evergreen native shrub known for its fragrant foliage and waxy gray berries. Commonly called Northern Bayberry, it thrives in sandy poor soils and coastal sites. The plant fixes nitrogen, improving soil health, and provides essential winter food and cover for wildlife especially in restoration and naturalized landscapes.
Height & Spread: 5 - 10 ft x 5 - 10 ft
Bloom Time: Spring
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Well drained, sandy or poor soils; tolerant of salt and wind
Watering Needs: Low; drought tolerant once established
Deer Resistance: Deer resistant due to aromatic foliage
Native Status
Myrica pensylvanica is native to eastern North America, particularly coastal regions from Newfoundland to North Carolina. It plays a key role in native habitat restoration.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Birds
- Provides critical winter food for species like Yellow rumped Warblers, Tree Swallows, and Eastern Bluebirds that eat the waxy berries.
Beneficial Insects
- Supports predatory wasps and beetles while dense foliage shelters spiders and overwintering pollinators.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 4 - 6 ft apart for massing or use as hedging; allow 6 - 10 ft for individual specimen planting.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for coastal gardens, restoration projects, naturalized hedgerows, and as wildlife supportive screening in challenging soils.
Companion Plants
- Vaccinium angustifolium (Lowbush Blueberry) - Native fruiting shrub that thrives in similar acidic sandy soils and supports pollinators and birds alike.
- Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod) - Salt tolerant golden blooms offer late season nectar near Myrica’s structural base.
- Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) - Upright grassy structure and autumn tones enhance seasonal texture and habitat quality.
- Rosa virginiana (Virginia Rose) - Native rose with pink blooms and red hips that provide food and cover for songbirds.
- Comptonia peregrina (Sweet Fern) - Aromatic native nitrogen fixer that complements Myrica’s soil building capacity and texture.