Don's Dwarf Southern Bayberry
Myrica cerifera 'Don's Dwarf'Don’s Dwarf Southern Bayberry is a compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub that brings year-round texture and structure to the landscape. This dwarf selection of Southern Bayberry is prized for its silvery-green foliage and abundant clusters of fragrant, waxy gray berries that persist into winter. Its dense, rounded habit makes it ideal for small gardens, foundation plantings, and naturalistic borders, providing visual interest even when many deciduous plants are dormant.
This low-maintenance shrub is highly adaptable, tolerating a wide range of soil types and conditions. Don’s Dwarf thrives in full sun to partial shade and is exceptionally drought-tolerant once established. Its fragrant berries are a favorite of birds, adding ecological value to your garden while also providing winter interest. Because bayberries have separate male and female plants, planting a male pollinator nearby is necessary to ensure female plants produce berries. One male plant can pollinate up to 3–5 female plants.
Perfect for landscapes that need all-season appeal, Don’s Dwarf Southern Bayberry pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses, winter-blooming shrubs, and perennials such as hellebores or ferns. Its compact size and evergreen foliage make it an excellent choice for mass plantings, hedges, or naturalized areas where space is limited. The combination of winter-fragrant berries and lush green foliage ensures visual and ecological interest throughout the year.
Care Instructions:
Planting: Choose a location with well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. Include a male Northern Bayberry nearby for pollination to produce berries.
Sunlight: Thrives in full sun but tolerates partial shade.
Watering: Water regularly until established; once mature, it is drought-tolerant.
Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring if desired.
Pruning: Prune lightly to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged branches.
Winter Care: Minimal; mulch around the base in colder climates to protect roots.
Companion Plants: Male Bayberry is needed for pollination. Ornamental grasses, ferns, and winter-blooming shrubs pair wonderfully.
