Pacific wax myrtle

Myrica californica as a tall privacy hedge

Pacific wax myrtle (Myrica californica) is a tall, dense evergreen shrub, perfect as a backdrop for any garden large enough to accommodate it.  Fast-growing, adaptable, and good looking year round, this is a fine choice for informal hedges, windbreaks, and privacy screens.

You will hear that Pacific wax myrtle can be sheared as a formal hedge, but don’t do it. Shearing destroys the natural grace of the glossy green leaves, which are long and narrow, softly serrated, and elegantly displayed on multiple upright stems. If you find its height of 12 to 20 feet too tall or its spread of 10 to 15 feet too wide, this shrub is easily maintained at smaller sizes by hand pruning.

Native along the coast and in coastal valleys from southern California to southern British Columbia, Pacific wax myrtle will tolerate almost full shade inland, but full sun to part shade is best.  It accepts dryish conditions, but responds enthusiastically to summer watering, especially in interior gardens.  It is at its finest in full sun in foggy coastal gardens, where it thrives in sandy soils and wind.

The luscious leaves of this plant look like deer salad at all ages and all times of year, but my deer generally ignore it after a nibble or two when plants are first set out or when new bright green leaves appear in spring. Clusters of tiny yellowish spring flowers are followed by small, waxy, purple-black berries that are popular with many birds.

The scientific name of Pacific wax myrtle was changed to Morella californica, but you may not see it listed or sold as such until the change is embraced by those who have long known and grown this plant as Myrica.