Northern Bayberry

Northern Bayberry Plants

Northern bayberry plants are not edible for us humans, so do not attempt to eat! Northern bayberry plants are native to the eastern coastal zone. The plants flower in early spring. Northern bayberry plants have a male and female plant, so if you want berries, you will need to plant both. Female northern bayberry plants produce numerous small, blue-grey, waxy round fruit in the fall. Northern bayberry plants are upright shrubs. The berries stay on the plant well into winter, and they stay above the accumulated snow.

Grow Northern Bayberries

When planting male and female northern bayberry plants, make sure to plant them in close proximity to ensure pollination. Northern bayberry plants usually grow up to 5 to 8 feet tall. The plants grow best where they are allowed to spread naturally, so make sure to pick an area with a lot of space before planting. Northern bayberries grow and thrive basically disease and insect free when not pruned or shaped, so prune only when necessary. It can do more harm than good.

Northern Bayberry Uses

Northern bayberry plants are highly scented. The berries and leaves can be used to scent candle wax. Northern bayberry plants can also be used as hedges and wildlife borders. The fruit laden branches and the leaves of the northern bayberry plant can be used as indoor decoration. The availability of the bayberry fruit in the winter is a nutritious food supply for many birds and animals.

Northern Bayberry Facts

The binomial name for Northern Bayberry is Myrica pensylvanica, and is one of about 35 species from the genus Myrica, generally known as Bayberry. Many of the other Bayberry species also have familiar common names such as Candleberry, Wax Myrtle, and Yumberry.

Photo - Burnt Meadow Nursery - Brownfield, Maine