How to Make a Wax Myrtle Thick

Select a planting spot with ideal conditions for growth. Aim for full sunlight and avoid shady areas, which can lead to thin growth. Choose a location that is protected from cold, since cold weather can lead to defoliation. Provide rich soil for fast growth, though wax myrtles grow quickly even in poor soil, as well as in both moist soil and dry environments. Slightly alkaline soil is best for leaf development.

Provide water to keep the soil moist, particularly during the first season of establishment.

Weed regularly and apply bark mulch out to the drip line, which is the location in the soil below the outermost edge of the branches. Preventing weed competition encourages strong roots and vigorous growth.

Prune excess shoots with pruning shears twice a year to reduce lanky branches and drooping. Shape the shrub as desired. One option is to encourage a dome-shaped topiary growth with many stems. The fast growth rate of this myrtle makes it a good screening plant. When shaping the tree, keep the branches widest at their base to avoid shading out the lower section, which can cause defoliation.

Encourage a dense thicket growth by allowing sprouts to grow from the myrtle's roots. These suckers usually appear naturally at the roots and can grow vigorously without assistance. They often appear in response to root damage. A natural thicket of wax myrtle can provide a valuable nesting area for wild animals,