Spring Planting Season is Here!! Grow Stronger, Healthier Trees for Less!!
Bare root trees grow faster, cost 50% less, AND establish much better than potted trees. PLUS they leave a much smaller environmental footprint. Order NOW before the season ends!
Northern Bayberry Shrub
Northern Bayberry Shrub
Couldn't load pickup availability
Morella pensylvanica, formerly Myrica pensylvanica
Northern Bayberry Shrub –
The Northern Bayberry Shrub is a resilient, aromatic native shrub prized for its silvery-blue berries, glossy foliage, and exceptional adaptability to poor, sandy soils. Known for its salt and drought tolerance, this shrub is ideal for coastal gardens, native landscapes, and erosion control projects where few other plants thrive.
With semi-evergreen foliage and nitrogen-fixing roots, Northern Bayberry provides four-season interest, supports wildlife, and improves soil over time—making it both beautiful and beneficial.
Northern Bayberry Shrub Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌿 Botanical Name | Morella pensylvanica (syn. Myrica pensylvanica) |
| 🏷️ Common Names | Northern Bayberry, Bayberry Shrub |
| 🌳 Mature Height | 4–9 feet |
| 🌐 Mature Width | 4–8 feet |
| 📈 Growth Rate | Moderate to fast (1–2.5 feet per year) |
| ⏳ Lifespan | 30–60 years |
| 🧊 USDA Zones | 3–8 |
| ❄️ Chill Hours | 800–1,200 hours |
| ☀️ Sun Preference | Full sun to partial shade (best fruiting in full sun) |
| 🧱 Soil Type | Tolerates sandy, rocky, clay, or poor soils |
| ⚖️ Soil pH | Acidic to slightly alkaline (5.0–7.5) |
| 💧 Water Needs | Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| 🫐 Fruit Type | Waxy, silver-blue berries on female plants |
| 🌸 Flower Color | Small, yellow-green catkins in spring |
| 🐝 Pollination | Dioecious; plant both male and female for berries |
| 🌿 Growth Habit | Rounded, dense, suckering shrub |
| ↔️ Spacing | 4–6 ft for hedges; 6–8 ft for specimen or natural spread |
| 🏡 Landscape Uses | Coastal buffers, erosion control, native borders, wildlife hedges |
| 🧹 Maintenance Level | Low |
Environmental Benefits
🌸 Supports pollinators and beneficial insects with early-season blooms
🫐 Provides berries for birds and wildlife throughout winter
🌿 Enhances soil fertility through natural nitrogen fixation
🌊 Excels in coastal, salty, and drought-prone landscapes
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ⚠️ Cons |
|---|---|
| 🌿 Extremely hardy and tolerant of poor, sandy, or salty soils | 🐝 Requires male and female plants for berry production |
| 🫐 Produces waxy, fragrant berries valued by wildlife | ✂️ May spread by suckers if unmanaged in tight garden beds |
| 🌞 Excellent for full sun and drought-prone areas | ❄️ Semi-evergreen foliage may drop in colder zones |
| 🧬 Native to eastern North America with high ecological value | 🌱 Moderate fruit set in heavy shade or poorly drained soils |
| 🪵 Useful for erosion control and restoration projects | 📏 Requires space to spread naturally |
Planting & Care Guide
🛁 Water thoroughly before and after planting; ensure even soil contact
🕳️ Dig a hole twice the width of the root mass; plant at the same depth as in nursery
🌾 Apply mulch 2–3 inches deep to retain moisture and suppress weeds
💦 Water weekly during establishment; reduce once mature
✂️ Prune lightly in early spring to shape or manage spread
🧪 Fertilization rarely needed due to nitrogen-fixing roots; use compost if desired
The Northern Bayberry Shrub is a tough yet graceful native that delivers ornamental appeal, habitat value, and unmatched resilience in even the harshest conditions. Whether lining a coastal path, anchoring a slope, or restoring a wild border, this shrub brings fragrance, structure, and sustainability to every landscape.
Share
