Our Newest Addition

Myrica pensylvanica, or Northern Bayberry...

I use the leaves in my sauces and really any cooking that calls for Bay Leaves. The waxy berries I use to scent candles, and as a hard oil in medicinal creams, lip balms etc... 

They grew wild on the East Coast, and we have not had any in 8 years...so...I decided to try them in pots. 50/50 sand to potting soil, and all day sun.

I see the roots have taken, because we have some nice new growth...but it will take a couple years of TLC to get them growing really well and to have some berries. 

This fall though I will be able to pick and dry the leaves :) No more paying 5.00 for 6 bay leaves :D

Next week I am going to steal some Rosa Carolina clippings from a wild plant I found near a pond, and get them growing and planted with the bayberries.