![]() That said, it responds well to periodic pruning, especially on old growth. ![]() ![]() Wax myrtle does best when allowed to grow to its full size and natural shape. It prefers full sun, but light dappled shade is fine. Sometimes it is used as a small, multiple trunk tree. During much of the winter these birds can obtain enough insects, but during sharp cold spells when there are few insects to be found, they will descend in numbers for a feeding frenzy on wax myrtle and holly.Īs a landscape plant in your yard, wax myrtle will be a fast-growing, large evergreen shrub. Another winter visitor that sometimes depends on wax myrtle berries, along with holly and other winter fruit, is the tree swallow. Apparently not all birds can digest the waxy coating. Gray catbirds and white-eyed vireos are also known to feed on wax myrtle berries. For several days it could be seen flashing its normally hidden red feathers on its head at the “interloper” in the globe. This diminutive bird, in its constantly flitting manner, put on quite a show for staff and customers alike as it stole wax myrtle berries from wreaths and then discovered its reflection in a nearby silver gazing globe. Speaking of kinglets, last Christmas season at Native Nurseries, our supply of wax myrtle berries for decorating wreaths was discovered by a ruby-crowned kinglet. Wax myrtle berries are an important source of winter food for this warbler, as they are for the kinglet. On our neighborhood morning walks, we have been hearing the distinctive “chips” of yellow-rumped warblers coming from the thick wax myrtle bushes around McCord Pond. The yellow-rumped warbler used to be known as myrtle warbler because it is so fond of wax myrtle berries. ![]() The birds get nourishment from the berries the wax myrtle shrub receives seed dispersal service via the digestive tract of the birds in return, delivered complete with fertilizer. Two small birds that breed in the boreal forests of Canada, the ruby-crowned kinglet and yellow-rumped warbler, relish wax myrtle berries here in winter and are closely affiliated with this shrub. The very small, hard berries are arranged in clusters along the stem and are covered in a thin gray waxy coating. Unlike the bright red berries of holly, wax myrtle berries are not real visible. Wax myrtle is another native shrub, having berries ripening in October and November. Late summer through winter its diet is heavy in berries from pokeweed, elderberry, arrowwood, bluestem palmetto, American beautyberry and hollies, among many others. Florida’s state bird, the northern mockingbird, eats primarily insects in spring and summer. Insects are important for some birds year-round, but other birds depend on berries to make it through the winter. Thus, we can all make a difference in our yards by increasing the percentage of native plants each year. In addition, his research indicates that when a landscape dips below 80% native plants, the reproduction rate of birds begins to drop. Native plants are the base of the ecological food web. Research by nationally celebrated entomologist Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home, has shown that 96% of land birds feed their young insects that rely on native plants for sustenance. The greater the percentage of native plants in your yard, the more birds will be able to thrive there. Birds need insects, berries and seeds, as well as cover, that native plants offer.Ĭool autumn temperatures bring winter migrating birds to our area. We can welcome winter migrating birds to our yards by planting American (native) trees and shrubs to create habitat.
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