Southern Wax Myrtles

If purchasing for screening, wait until winter to buy. There are male, and female, and the female thin in the winter to show off their fruit. Purchase males, if possible.

How many feet off the property line depends on how large you plan to let them grow. I would plan for at least 6' centers, but have seen 4'. Planted too close will cause overcrowding, and ultimate thinning of the lower portion of the plant.

I planted 6 of them seven years ago for some privacy along my fence. My thinking was they’d grow higher than the fence and provide extra privacy. They did. The problem was various storms knocked them down. Turns out they’re very brittle and break easily. I had one large holdout about 12’ high until last summer’s drought. They need lots of water and that one bit the dust by about September despite lots of watering on my part.

The dark red grows slower than the white and pink. Planted 15 in our back yard 12 to 14 ft apart 22 yrs ago. All are about 18 to 20 ft tall except the dark red. Also I trimmed them to only be 1 or 2 trunks not the 3 or 4 that are common.