(by Diane De Luca)

Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) is a deciduous shrub native to North America where it is primarily found growing along the eastern coast in dunes, pine barrens, dry forests, and along the margins of bogs and swamps. This versatile shrub can also be used in woodland gardens or shrub borders.

Leaves may remain on the plant through the winter and provide shelter for wildlife. Female plants produce abundant small, blue-grey, waxy fruit in the fall. The fruits are retained well into winter and are an excellent food source for many wildlife species. Tree swallows are known to feed heavily on bayberries during their fall migration. Yellow-rumped warblers will also forage on bayberry late into fall and early winter.

The highly scented fruit of the bayberry was also a source of wax for early settlers. The scent is still used in candle making.