Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Providing year-round interest, Brave Athena Northern Bayberry features lustrous green foliage that turns a deep wine color in fall. When planted near a male bayberry, it produces edible, waxy, silvery-blue berries that songbirds crave during winter. The leaves emanate a lovely scent whenever they are compressed. Reaching heights and spreads of 5 to 10 feet, this deciduous shrub, also known as Morella pensylvanica ‘Brave Athena’, can survive winters in zones 3-7 and fills spaces quickly with its wide canopy.
Brave Athena Northern Bayberry is vigorous, low-maintenance, and adaptable. It tolerates erosion, wet soil, and salt, making it a superb choice to plant in a coastal location. This ornamental shrub also attracts pollinators but is resistant to deer and small critters. Brave Athena makes a perfect accent specimen, or it can be used in groups to create privacy or a windbreak. Bred by American Beauties Native Plants, this versatile shrub has a lot to offer with minimal risk.
Brave Athena Northern Bayberry Care
Brave Athena grows upright and can handle partial shade to full sun. Plant it near a male Northern bayberry for pollination and berry production. While this perennial tolerates both acidic and alkaline soil, it prefers moist, slightly acidic soil. Water it regularly until its roots are established, and thereafter when the top couple of inches of soil are dry. Brave Athena does not require feeding.
A low-maintenance perennial, this shrub does not need much pruning; however, remove any dead, damaged, or crossed branches in early spring to improve air circulation and maintain its shape.
Brave Athena Northern Bayberry Spacing
Brave Athena Northern Bayberry provides shade, privacy, and windbreak when planted in groups. Space this perennial 5-7 feet apart when creating a hedge or planting in groups.
Brave Athena Northern Bayberry Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 7 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 5-10 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 5-10+ Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- Flower Description
- Inconspicuous
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green, Red
- Foliage Description
- Green, Red
- Foliage Type
- , Semi-Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Brave Athena Northern Bayberry
- Also Known As
- Brave Athena Northern Bayberry
- Botanical Name
- Myrica pensylvanica 'Brave Athena', sun Morella pensylvanica
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!