Myrica pensylvanica – Northern Bayberry

General Information: A versatile, low-maintenance, aromatic shrub growing in a range of habitats. The leaves emit a pleasant smell when crushed, mainly from their undersides, while the drupes (berries) have a wax coating that makes them useful for essential oils, candles, wax, and soaps. Northern Bayberry can form a large clonal bush via suckers, though they usually only colonize under optimal growing conditions. The wax-coated berries are an important food source for many migratory birds. The berries often remain on the plant throughout the winter, adding winter appeal to the landscape. It has a history of use by colonial settlers of Eastern North America as a source of candle wax. The berries were collected en masse, boiled, and allowed to cool, then the wax was skimmed off the surface and consolidated to form a sweet-smelling and clean-burning candle. The wax has also been used in medicinal plant preparations. Semi-evergreen in the southern end of the growing range. Flowers are inconspicuous yellowish-green catkins and are not very showy. Pollinated flowers bear grayish-white drupes in late summer that persist until April.

Edible Qualities: The leaves are said to be a substitute for Bay Leaf (Laurus nobilis) and can be used in much the same way to impart a similar flavor to dishes. The berries, although waxy and containing a large seed, are also reportedly edible.

Cultivation Details: Dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. At least one male and one female are required to produce berries. At this time our plants are unsexed. Female plants will produce berries if other Myrica species are present, though ideally by a male Myrica pensylvanica. Members of this plant family produce symbiotic associations with nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria and can greatly improve soil health for surrounding plant communities. Northern Bayberry makes an excellent hedgerow perfect for rewilding, as a living bird feeder, as a foundation plant, along borders and fences, or as a specimen. Consider growing Northern Bayberry as a compliment to similar or larger species such as Sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina), Mulberries (Morus spp.), Juneberries (Amelanchier spp.) and any other fruit-producing trees, shrubs, or vines. Plants can tolerate a range of soil types, conditions, and pH.

Growing Requirements: Plant in full sun to partial shade. Grows in average soil, dry to medium, preferring moist soils. Uniquely tolerant of most soil types ranging from dunes to compact clays, tolerant of salt spray, as well as road salt. Prefers acidic soil, but will grow in alkaline soil also. Tolerant of drought, salt spray (also road salt), and high winds.

Fun Facts: This plant is sometimes also classified as Morella pensylvanica. Hybrids of this species and others in the Myrica genus are a somewhat common occurrence in nature.