- 1). Plant wax myrtle in full sun to partial shade, in moist, well-drained soil. If you want berries, you must plant a male and a female wax myrtle and allow them to cross-pollinate. Only female wax myrtles will produce the small, waxy berries that attract birds like a magnet.
- 2). Amend clay soils with equal parts peat and sand for a deep, fine mix the size of a cubic yard to give each wax myrtle a good head start. Water every other day for the first several weeks after planting to help reduce transplant shock to the roots. Once established, additional watering is not required and you'll find wax myrtle extremely drought tolerant.
- 3). Spread a two- to four-inch layer of mulch in a ring over the root zone of the wax myrtle, beginning six inches away from the trunk to reduce competition from weeds and lawn grass. Rake out and replace mulch annually to maintain its benefits.
- 4). Cut limbs from the lowest third of the wax myrtle each fall if you want wax myrtle to take on the shape of a small tree and show off its fine, grayish trunk bark. Set the blade of the pruning saw at 45 degrees down and away from the trunk, leaving 1/2-inch stubs that will drain moisture instead of collecting it.
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