Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Morella californica (Pacific wax myrtle)
1 hour care
per year
per year
10m
Max height
Max height
10m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Morella californica
Other names
Pacific wax myrtle, Myrica californica, California wax myrtle, California bayberry
Genus
Morella Morella
Species
M. californica - M. californica is an upright to spreading, evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, aromatic, sparsely toothed, oblong to narrowly lance-shaped, mid- to dark green leaves and inconspicuous red, purple, or yellow flowers in spring followed by grey or purple fruit.
Morella californica is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Foliage is aromatic.
Habit
Spreading, Upright
Flower
Yellow, Red, Purple, Insignificant or absent in Spring
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Can be sheared to create a more formal hedge.
Propagation
Soak seed in warm water prior to sowing. Sow in a cold frame in autumn.
Propagation methods
Layering, Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Morella californica (Pacific wax myrtle) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 10m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Planted in groups, Mediterranean, Low Maintenance, Hedging/Screens, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Coastal, City, Beds and borders, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Best grown in acid, neutral, or slightly alkaline, well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Tolerates a wide range of conditions. Drought tolerant once established but best with regular water in hot, dry conditions. Suitable for use as a hedge or coastal screen.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Morella californica
Other names
Pacific wax myrtle, Myrica californica, California wax myrtle, California bayberry
Genus
Morella Morella
Species
M. californica - M. californica is an upright to spreading, evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, aromatic, sparsely toothed, oblong to narrowly lance-shaped, mid- to dark green leaves and inconspicuous red, purple, or yellow flowers in spring followed by grey or purple fruit.
Native to
California, Oregon (United States), Washington (United States)
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Foliage is aromatic.
Habit
Spreading, Upright
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Yellow, Red, Purple, Insignificant or absent in Spring
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Can be sheared to create a more formal hedge.
Propagation
Soak seed in warm water prior to sowing. Sow in a cold frame in autumn.
Propagation methods
Layering, Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Morella californica (Pacific wax myrtle) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 10m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Planted in groups, Mediterranean, Low Maintenance, Hedging/Screens, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Coastal, City, Beds and borders, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Best grown in acid, neutral, or slightly alkaline, well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Tolerates a wide range of conditions. Drought tolerant once established but best with regular water in hot, dry conditions. Suitable for use as a hedge or coastal screen.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login