The Aromatic Evergreen That Feeds Birds & Pollinators While Providing Privacy
The Aromatic Evergreen That Feeds Birds & Pollinators While Providing Privacy
https://www.housedigest.com/2100203/aromatic-southern-wax-myrtle-feed-bird-pollinator-give-privacy/
Publish Date: 2026-02-16 17:30:00
Source Domain: www.housedigest.com
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Are you on the hunt for one of the best winter plants for patio privacy? You need a tree with foliage that stays thick even in the coldest months of the year. Wouldn’t it be nice to grow a tree that releases a fresh, spicy scent when you brush past it or crush its needles, like a bayberry candle? Planting a native Southern wax myrtle (Morella cerifera) is an excellent way to keep neighbors from peeking into your yard. Plus, these bushy trees give birds and pollinators food and a place to call home in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 11. The shrub grows a thick wall of olive leaves that stay on the branches all year long, and it’s softer looking than sharply manicured boxwood or privet hedges.
These evergreen trees can put on 2 feet of growth in just one year. They will eventually top out at somewhere between 10 and 25 feet, but you can easily keep them smaller with pruning. The Southern wax myrtle fills in empty spots so quickly that it looks like it’s been part of your yard forever rather than something you just brought home from the nursery. The branches are flexible and don’t snap easily in heavy winds or light loads of ice and snow, making it a great choice for year-round privacy in areas that experience strong storms. Note however that the branches will droop under the weight of heavy snow.
How to grow Southern wax myrtle for thick privacy hedges
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