Wax myrtle for birds in Delaware
Evergreen with waxy winter berries. Native to Delaware, where it feeds or shelters 27 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Morella cerifera
- Native status
- Native in Delaware
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7a–8a
- What birds get from it
- fruit and berries
- Delaware birds supported
- 27
- Nesting birds among them
- 22
Growing conditions in Delaware
Humid subtropical to temperate coastal plain between Delaware Bay and the Atlantic.
Hot, humid summers; bay-shore woodlots are important migrant stopovers in May.
Delaware birds that use Wax myrtle
Year-round residents (10)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling
Summer breeders (12)
Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (5)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush
Mild winters with modest snow; coastal marshes draw huge numbers of wintering sparrows and blackbirds.
Nesting season it supports in Delaware
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Wax myrtle:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- House Finch — April–August
- American Robin — April–July
- Northern Flicker — April–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — April–June
- Baltimore Oriole — May–July
- Orchard Oriole — May–June
- Eastern Towhee — May–July
- Gray Catbird — May–July
Native plants to pair with Wax myrtle in Delaware
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is Wax myrtle native to Delaware?
Yes. Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera) is recorded as native in Delaware. Delaware spans USDA 7a–8a.
What birds does Wax myrtle attract in Delaware?
In Delaware, Wax myrtle supports 27 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow.
Does Wax myrtle help nesting birds in Delaware?
22 of those birds nest in Delaware: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), House Finch (April–August), American Robin (April–July).
Which winter birds use Wax myrtle in Delaware?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush use it in Delaware during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Delaware
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.