Bayberry - Myrica pensylvanica

Dark green foliage, fragrant when crushed, persists well into autumn and provides nesting habitat for birds. Diverse birds love the clusters of bluish white, waxy berries. The aromatic berries, on female plants, also persist into winter, and are used to make bayberry candles. The shrub is a larval host of the Columbia silkmoth. Inconspicuous male and female flowers are on separate plants and attract butterflies and other insects. Both sexes are needed to produce the waxy berries (berries will be produced on female plant only). Our plants are unsexed, so get a couple to try to get berries. Soil Type: Sand/Loam Soil Conditions: Moist-Dry Flower Color: Catkins: Male & Female plants separate; Not showy Flower Time: May Height: 6-10' Light: Sun/Part-Sun Features: Birds, Winter Interest, Rain Garden, Larval Host, Small Pollinators Credits: Info courtesy of U of IL Extension; Photo courtesy of Brad Slaughter for https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/description/19792/Myrica-pensylvanica