Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

The Wax Myrtle, an evergreen shrub which is known for providing protective cover and nesting sites for wildlife, is a popular landscape plant which can be grown as a tree or a dense hedge. While the flowers are not noted for their color, they are numerous in quantity, and they grow into a gray wax containing berries which were often used in candle making. This shrub can quickly grow to about 20 feet tall and 20 feet wide making it an excellent choice as a privacy screen. The plant is resistant to most insects and diseases. The berries of the Wax Myrtle are the main food source for wintering tree swallows in Florida.