Wax Myrtle as a foundation plant?
satellitehead
15 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (14)
killerv
15 years agomayland
15 years agoRelated Discussions
Southern Wax Myrtle Full Size?
Comments (75)Candace, These are the Dwarf Wax Myrtles. Not what one thinks of as a Dwarf. I've been working in that area so it's still ongoing. The one on the left is limbed up nicely, but then I lost the privacy that I wanted. I had planned to plant some Abelia Grandiflora until the butterflies won out. So, Rue made it instead. At least, it's the rent house next door while the other blocks the view from the street. So, I may have to live with that for a while. Of course, it could revert back to a shrubby bush if it is left unpruned. It just looks so much better cleaned up. The one on the right might just remain like it is as it does provide more privacy. The last photo shows that it was planted too close to the fence and has grown through it to some degree as well as growing over it. I don't think they mind. But, it's worthwhile to keep it off the fence. I haven't gotten around to any pruning toward that. But, I don't want it to get any heavier wood, due to time, growing there. This turned out to be a good resource with all the photos that everyone has posted. ExMontrose person here. I saw that you lived in Houston. At least, you get more rain than we do up here. Xtal Good luck on your planting. Be sure to take Before and After photos along with some progressive age shots... not only for your own reference, but to be able to share them here as well....See MoreWax myrtle advice needed
Comments (5)I am, by no means, an expert on this shrub, but I have a great number of them on my property, all having grown in wild. They tend to grow on the edges of woodland, which says to me that they need some sun. I see them in my neighborhood in full sun, and in our area, that's ALOT of sun. The most common way of pruning and shaping them here is to arborize them: choose a few large stems that are growing in pleasing angles, and then remove all the branches on them from the ground up to the desired height. Remove all the other stems by cutting them to the ground. The ones around our area that get regular shearing look unpleasantly wild and very woolly (in my opinion). I would give the plant time to form its own natural crown. It won't take long. I assume you know that they sucker quite alot, which is the only reason I leave them in wild situations. They are very attractive shrubs otherwise....See MoreHelp- Wax Myrtle leaves turned brown
Comments (5)Trima, Go outside with a pointed shovel and dig a little around the roots about a foot or two around the branch that is browning. See how moist the soil is, and if there is anything in the soil that doesn't look right. How close is that climbing rose anyway? See if the roses roots are sneaking over to your wax mytle tree in that area. you wo't hurt the plants by digging a little bit, jsut not too deep. i have a feeling something is going on with the rose and the mytle and the watering situation. have you fertilized the rose bush this fall? Wax myrtles really don't like a lot of nitrgen at all, they burn easy. Just a thought....See Morewindthrown wax myrtle
Comments (7)I'd agree that the problem is insufficient root growth combined with luxurious top growth. I'm wondering if there is anything I can do about it. I don't think the soil is lacking in Phosphorus. At least, from what I read, soils in this area tend to have plenty. I started with plants that were in two gallon containers, only 18 inches tall. They were not root bound, but I gently loosened the roots anyway, just to make sure. These are amended, raised beds, and the soil is of a consistent texture and fertility in the entire bed to a depth of 2 feet and horizontally many feet from these shrubs. IOW, they aren't plunked in a hole of rich, ammended dirt, surrounded by native soil. I've watered with soaker hoses, infrequently, and deeply. I believe that part of the problem is that the winds are so seasonal. These plants had the opportunity to put on lots of top growth with no breeze for the majority of the year, and then the Fall winds come along. Should I just leave them braced for a year or two and see if they develop enough roots? Would shearing them next spring make things worse, or could it help? Should I dig them up and try spreading the roots? Plant them deeper? Thanks, Colin...See MoreIris GW
15 years agonippersdad
15 years agogirlgroupgirl
15 years agocyrus_gardner
15 years agosatellitehead
15 years agomayland
15 years agoIris GW
15 years agojay_7bsc
15 years agonippersdad
15 years agosatellitehead
15 years agoIris GW
15 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Sambucus Nigra
Common elderberry is a highly adaptable shrub from the eastern U.S., with berries galore for wildlife and humans alike
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESTop 10 Native Plants for the Pacific Northwest
More than just gorgeous and adaptable, these standout plants convey a sense of place
Full StoryGARDENING FOR BIRDSFeed the Birds: 6 Plants for Abundant Winter Berries
Be kind to your fair feathered friends during lean food times by planting a shrub or tree loaded with nutritious snacks
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNThe 7 Best Plant Types for Creating Privacy and How to Use Them
Follow these tips for using different kinds of plants as living privacy screens
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNConsider a Plant as Living Sculpture
If traditional garden art isn’t really your thing, plant living art instead
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Spot a Drought-Tolerant Plant
Label? Who needs a label? Learn the characteristics of plants that can thrive in hot, dry conditions to help you pick the right ones
Full StorySPRING GARDENINGTop 10 Scented Plants for Your Garden
A palette of perfumed plants can transform even the smallest of gardens into a sensory delight
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES8 Deer-Resistant Elegant Evergreen Shrubs to Plant This Fall
Who knew that such beautiful shrubs could be deer-resistant?
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Texas Ranger Explodes With Color
If purple is your passion, embrace Leucophyllum frutescens for its profusion of blooms and consider the unfussiness a bonus
Full StoryPATIOSTerraces, New Plantings and Basketball Transform a D.C. Backyard
Bluestone and brick surfaces, a fireplace, a green-and-white plant palette and a new sports court suit a family’s outdoor lifestyle
Full Story
satelliteheadOriginal Author