Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Bluish white
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: CT , DC , DE , MA , MD , ME , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , VA , VT
Canada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Along the coast from ME to VA; also along shores of Lake Erie
Native Habitat: Ledges, wood borders; thickets
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Clay, Loam, Sand
Conditions Comments: Bayberry tolerates salt spray and a wide variety of wet to dry, hot to cold growing conditions. Be sure to obtain plants similar to climatic condition in your garden. Both male and female plants are necessary for berries. From NJ to LA, another coastal bayberry occurs, M. heterophylla. It is similar with smaller fruits.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Eaten by many winter birds.
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Columbia silkmoth

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Morella pensylvanica is a larval host and/or nectar source for:

Columbia silkmoth (Hyalophora columbia) Larval Host Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Sow seed outdoors in the fall or stratify. Semi-hardwood cuttings root moderately will with hormone treatment.
Seed Collection: Collect seeds in mid to late fall.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Shrubs for playground barrier hedge in Darien CT
December 07, 2009
I am working on my Eagle Scout project which is a barrier hedge in front of a playground at our town's baseball field to protect the kids from getting hit by balls. The fence would be 4 feet tall an...
view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY
Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Morella pensylvanica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Morella pensylvanica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Morella pensylvanica