Maritime Arboretum Seed Northern Bayberry

Myrica pensylvanica

Northern Bayberry is a hardy native North American shrub valued for its aromatic, glossy green foliage and clusters of silvery-white berries that persist into winter. It is an excellent choice for wildlife gardens, naturalized areas, hedges, and coastal landscapes, as it tolerates poor soil, drought, wind, and salt.

Approximate Maximum Height: 10 m
Zone(s): Zone 6-9
About the Seeds: Clean Seed

Lighting: Full sun to partial shade. Northern Bayberry performs well in both sunny and partially shaded locations, with full sun generally encouraging denser growth and better fruit production.

Germination: Seeds require scarification and cold, moist stratification to overcome dormancy. Remove or soften the waxy coating before treatment, then cold stratify in a moist medium for approximately 90-150 days at about 1-5°C (34-41°F). After stratification, sow in moist seed-starting mix and provide light for germination. Germination can be slow and irregular.

Watering: Keep the seed-starting medium consistently moist but not waterlogged during stratification and germination. Once seedlings emerge, maintain even moisture and do not allow them to dry out while becoming established. Northern Bayberry is relatively drought- tolerant once established.