Myrica rubra, yangmei, clusters of bumpy crimson bayberry fruit among glossy green leaves
Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra) branch heavy with red, bead-textured yangmei fruit
Myrica rubra, yangmei, ripe dark crimson bayberry fruit ready to pick
Myrica rubra, Chinese bayberry, a shapely evergreen tree with lanceolate foliage
Myrica rubra, yangmei, clusters of bumpy crimson bayberry fruit among glossy green leaves
Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra) branch heavy with red, bead-textured yangmei fruit
Myrica rubra, yangmei, ripe dark crimson bayberry fruit ready to pick
Myrica rubra, Chinese bayberry, a shapely evergreen tree with lanceolate foliage
Edible Best Seller New Very Rare

Chinese Bayberry

Myrica rubra

$89.00 Sold out
1 Gallon USDA Zones 8–10 Full Sun and Part Shade Matures 15–30 Feet

Myrica rubra, yangmei or Chinese bayberry, is a rare fruiting evergreen from East Asia, prized for centuries for jewel-like, sweet-tart crimson berries on a shapely tree.

Size: 1 Gallon

Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery

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Roots wrapped in moist soil and padded for safe transit
Grown and shipped from our nursery in Aiken, SC
Shipping later in the season? Schedule your delivery date in your cart.
The Full Story

Myrica rubra, the Chinese bayberry or yangmei, is a fruiting evergreen tree from the misty mountains of East Asia, revered for centuries across China and Japan for tangy-sweet berries and an elegant, shapely form. Imagine cherries and cranberries with a botanical lovechild that had the moodiness of a plum and the antioxidant punch of a superfruit, and something close to yangmei would be the result. The current stock is female, tissue-cultured clones of a named selection.

The selection offered is 'Wuzi', either a newly chosen form from the famed Dongkui-growing region or a hybrid of Dongkui and Biqi. The name Wuzi translates as dark purple, a nod to the richly pigmented fruit, which runs darker and tastier than Dongkui if a touch smaller, and in the native region ripens about five days earlier, an early-season treat prized for both flavor and beauty.

Yangmei has always held a special place at Woodlanders. A beautiful mature specimen has grown in Aiken for years, quietly admired for evergreen grace and seasonal magic, but more than two decades have passed since the nursery could last offer this elusive gem to customers. Thanks to the meticulous work of a new partner, the Plant Propagator behind yangmei.us and a leading voice for yangmei cultivation in the United States, Woodlanders is proud to reintroduce this rare species to American gardens.

The reward is a shapely evergreen of shimmering, softly lanceolate leaves and, on a pollinated female, clusters of bumpy, jewel-like fruit in deep crimson to purple-black, sweet-tart and faintly resinous, rich in the anthocyanins that make yangmei a celebrated functional food in East Asia. A word for the determined gardener: yangmei is not for the faint of heart, slow to establish and sensitive to transplant, yet remarkably resilient once settled, and needing a male plant nearby for the females to fruit. Those who commit are rewarded with a plant that bridges the ornamental and the edible. Read this plant's full story here.
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Size: 1 Gallon
Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 8–10
Sun
Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil
Well-drained, Acid
Mature size
Height 15–30 Feet · Spread 10–20 Feet
Growth rate
Fast
Seasonality
Evergreen
Design Notes

Grow yangmei as a shapely evergreen specimen or a fruiting tree in an edible or collector's garden, in full sun to part shade and the acidic, sharply drained soil the species demands. Site on a slope, a berm, or a raised bed where water never stands, and shelter from hard freezes at the cold edge of the range. As a dioecious species, a female needs a male plant within range to set the crop, so plan for both where fruit is the goal, and net or harvest promptly, since birds prize the berries as much as people do. Patient and slow to establish, but a true botanical jewel once settled.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Inconspicuous reddish catkins, late winter to spring; dioecious

Flower. Small and inconspicuous, in short catkin-like clusters in the leaf axils, pale yellowish to reddish, opening in late winter to early spring. The tree is dioecious, so male and female flowers grow on separate plants, and fruit needs a compatible male nearby. Pollination is chiefly by wind.

Fruit. The reason to grow the tree: round, bumpy, bead-textured berries about an inch to an inch and a half across, ripening from crimson to dark purple-black in late spring and early summer, the juicy flesh clinging to a single seed. The flavor is complex, sweet-tart and faintly resinous, somewhere between cranberry, cherry, and pomegranate with a hint of bayberry spice, deepening as the fruit darkens. Eaten fresh, dried, juiced, fermented, or preserved, and rich in anthocyanins that make yangmei a prized functional food in East Asia.

Foliage. Shimmering, deep green, softly lanceolate evergreen leaves that give the tree year-round grace.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Full sun to part shade, with at least six hours of direct sun for fruiting.

Soil. Sharply drained, acidic soil is essential, pH about 4.5 to 5.5; the plant will not tolerate soggy ground, so avoid low spots and heavy clay, and use a raised bed or berm in heavier soils.

Water. Water deeply and steadily through the first year or two while the roots settle, then ease off; moderately drought tolerant once mature, and easily harmed by overwatering.

Fertilizing. Feed sparingly; yangmei is sensitive to over-fertilizing and to salt buildup.

Hardiness. Best in zones 8 to 10, marginal in 7b with shelter; protect from hard freezes while young.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

Learn more about Woodlanders
Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
Also found in
As written on The Node
Bayberry, Chinese bayberry, and yangmei: a field guide to the genus that keeps changing its name Myrica rubra (Yangmei): The Fruit That Won’t Wait
Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?

Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?

At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.

Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.