California Wax Myrtle

California wax myrtle is an evergreen Pacific Coast shrub or small tree with glossy, narrow leaves and inconspicuous spring catkins. It works as a screen or hedge, and its wax-coated purple-black fruits provide food for birds; mature size varies with growing conditions. ## Form and seasonal interest The plant usually forms several upright stems. Oregon State University describes it at 10–12 feet, with older specimens reaching about 30 feet; NC State Extension gives a broader 10–30-foot range for both height and spread. Small yellow-green flowers appear in spring, and the rounded fruits ripen from green to purple-black with a pale waxy coating in fall. Male and female flowers may occur on one plant or on separate plants, so fruiting can vary. ## Site and climate Grow in full sun or partial shade. The species tolerates damp sites as well as summer drought and can grow in clay, loam, or sandy soil. NC State lists USDA Zones 7a–9b. The foliage is evergreen and glossy; leaves are not aromatic when crushed. ## Maintenance Use it as a screen, hedge, or specimen and prune to shape when needed. Pruning is best done with the next season’s flowers and fruit in mind, since these appear on older growth. Allow room for a large shrub or small tree, or trim periodically to keep a hedge within bounds. Sources: [Oregon State University Landscape Plants](https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/morella-californica) and [NC State Extension Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/myrica-californica/).