Sand myrtle is a woody low growing evergreen shrub or groundcover in the Ericaceae (blueberry) family native to portions of southeastern US. This slower grower has dense foliage and variable form in wild reaching a heigh of 18 inches to 3 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. Plant in partial shade in moist well drained acidic soil enriched with organic matter. Apply a layer of acidic mulch like pine needles in the spring to retain soil moisture. Prune only after flowering to remove spent blooms and keep in mind that next year's blossoms and fruit will appear on old growth. This plant can be propagated through seed, stem or root cutting. The leaves are thick and glossy and provide a beautiful green background for the rosy pink buds that erupt in a profusion of white flowers from early spring to early summer. Nectar from the flowers attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. The evergreen leaves turn a attracive bronze tone in the winter which helps provide year-round interest for this plant. Sand myrtle does not tolerate drought or overly wet soils. Use this low maintenance plant in the front of borders, alongside patios, or as an understory planting along with some larger shrubs. Mass plant it as welcome addition to a native or pollinator garden and does well in containers. Its slow growth rate makes it ideal as a low growing hedge in a cottage garen and its small size makes it a natural choice for courtyard, or rock gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Prostrate; Rounded; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate; Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Dense tiny glossy green ovate leaves, variable alternate or opposite. In the fall the leaves turn bronze.
Fall color
Brown/Copper
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Corymb; Raceme; Umbel
Flower detail
Rosy buds open to white flowers with 5 petals and prominate stamens. Inflorescence is a terminal corymbiform raceme or umbel. Blooms from March to June
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Displays from September to October.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern U.S.A
Wildlife value
A food source for butterflies, birds, pollinators, and small mammals.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds