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Morella pensylvanica (Bayberry)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
3m
Max height
Max height
3m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Morella pensylvanica
Other names
Bayberry, Northern bayberry, Candleberry , Swamp candleberry, Myrica pensylvanica
Genus
Morella Morella
Species
M. pensylvanica - M. pensylvanica is a variable, dense, sometimes suckering, deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub with upright stems bearing aromatic, oblong to broadly lance-shaped, leathery, glossy, grey-green leaves and inconspicuous, dull yellow-green flowers in late spring followed by clusters of waxy, grey-white fruit.
Morella pensylvanica is: Semi evergreen
Fragrance
Foliage is aromatic.
Habit
Dense, Compact, Suckering, Upright
Flower
Yellow-green 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
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Sow seed in containers outdoors as soon as ripe.
Propagation methods
Seed, Layering, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Morella pensylvanica (Bayberry) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 3m 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 or neutral, moist soil in sun or partial shade. Requires a male pollinator for fruit production. Tolerates coastal spray and drought. Evergreen in warm climates, semi-evergreen or deciduous in colder areas. Fruit persists into winter. This plant fixes nitrogen.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, 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 pensylvanica
Other names
Bayberry, Northern bayberry, Candleberry , Swamp candleberry, Myrica pensylvanica
Genus
Morella Morella
Species
M. pensylvanica - M. pensylvanica is a variable, dense, sometimes suckering, deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub with upright stems bearing aromatic, oblong to broadly lance-shaped, leathery, glossy, grey-green leaves and inconspicuous, dull yellow-green flowers in late spring followed by clusters of waxy, grey-white fruit.
Native to
Eastern North America
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Fragrance
Foliage is aromatic.
Habit
Dense, Compact, Suckering, Upright
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Colour
Flower
Yellow-green 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
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Sow seed in containers outdoors as soon as ripe.
Propagation methods
Seed, Layering, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Morella pensylvanica (Bayberry) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 3m 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 or neutral, moist soil in sun or partial shade. Requires a male pollinator for fruit production. Tolerates coastal spray and drought. Evergreen in warm climates, semi-evergreen or deciduous in colder areas. Fruit persists into winter. This plant fixes nitrogen.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, 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 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, 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
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By Rhode Island garden designer Shawn Mayers, APLD. The client is a multi-generational, multi-cultural family that occupies two separate living areas of a new home in Lakeville, M. The house is a… read more
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