Wax myrtle zone full#

If you're a backyard bird watcher, add Wax Myrtle to your plant list - it's sure to attract species that you may have never seen before! The wax-covered berries are favorite treats of around 40 bird species. Wax Myrtle produces fruit clusters that contain thousands of berries.

This fragrant wax was used to make bayberry candles in Colonial times! If you enjoy candle-making - or you've always wanted to try your hand at this craft - why not grow a plant in your own back yard that's a historical source of candle wax? Aptly named, the Wax Myrtle shrub's berries contain the secret ingredient - a waxy coating that you can separate by boiling the fruit in water. The leaves have a spicy scent enjoyed by many gardeners. The berries have a bluish cast and appear only on the female plants (Both male and female are needed for berry production). The leaves are a deep olive green with an oblong shape and the bark is a handsome grey. This makes it an ideal hedge or dense border shrub. These plants will grow to about 15 feet in both height and width. It's also tolerant of sea spray and drought, so it is a perfect plant for coastal gardeners.Įasy to Maintain. The Wax Myrtle is disease resistant and hardy. It's tolerant of a wide variety of soils including sandy soil.ĭisease Resistant- It'll Grow Almost Anywhere This is a US-native plant, so you know it will thrive in your yard. The sturdy nature of the Wax Myrtle makes it a good choice for tough spots. You see these all around town and in high-end neighborhoods. perfect for property lines or roadside plantings. The Wax Myrtle gives you a thick, fragrant hedge. looks great in a hedge of three or five.Irrigation during dry periods is essential. When you are growing crepe myrtle in zone 5, you’ll want to fertilize the plants once a year only in spring. Remove fabric and mulch as spring arrives. Act before the soil freezes to better protect the root crown. Cover the plant with protective fabric, then pile mulch on top. Clip off all stems a few inches (7.5 cm.). Don’t plant this tree in autumn, since the roots will have a harder time.Ĭut back your zone 5 crepe myrtle trees after the first hard freezes in autumn. It also helps to do the planting in mid-summer so that the roots dig into warm soil and establish fast. Even cold hardy crepe myrtle do better in a hot location. They can make the difference in your plant’s survival. If you start growing crepe myrtle in zone 5 using ‘Filligree’ or other cold hardy crepe myrtle cultivars, you’ll also want to take precautions to follow these planting tips. They offer a brilliant burst of color after the first flush of spring. These were developed in a breeding program by the Fleming brothers. Yet, they are labeled for zones 4 through 9. These trees offer stunning blossoms in the middle of the summer in colors that include red, coral and violet. If the plants are labeled zone 5 crepe myrtle trees, they will likely survive the cold.Ī good place to start is with the ‘Filligree’ cultivars. Select one of the cold hardy crepe myrtle cultivars. You’ll need to do your homework before planting and growing crepe myrtle in zone 5. So can crepe myrtle grow in zone 5? If you select a cultivar carefully and plant it in a protected area, then yes, it may be possible. If winter comes abruptly, the trees can suffer severe damage in the 20’s.īut still, you’ll find these beautiful trees flowering in zones 6 and even 5. (-15 C.) if fall leads into winter with a gradual cool down. The canopies survive down to 5 degrees F. But most are labeled for planting in zone 7 or above.

Wax myrtle zone full#

Cold Hardy Crepe MyrtleĬrepe myrtle in full bloom may offer more flowers than any other garden tree. Read on for information on zone 5 crepe myrtle trees. However, growing crepe myrtles in zone 5 regions is possible. But if you live in a cooler clime, you may despair of finding cold hardy crepe myrtle trees. With showy flowers and smooth bark that peels back as it ages, these trees offer many incentives to willing gardeners.

Crepe myrtles ( Lagerstroemia indica, Lagerstroemia indica x faurei) are among the most popular landscape trees in the southeastern United States.