Bayberries are dioecious, with male or female flowers on separate plants. Morton Male bayberry is the male plant and can be used as a pollinator for SILVER SPRITE^TM bayberry, which is the female and will produce fruit. They bloom at the same time. The male form has the same superior habit and deep green foliage that SILVER SPRITE™ bayberry displays, while also remaining compact in size. The Male SILVER SPRITE™ bayberry also exhibits a deep eggplant-purple color during the winter for additional display value.

This shrub is a Chicagoland Grows® selection. Chicagoland Grows® is a plant introduction partnership of the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Morton Arboretum and the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois formed to promote plant cultivars that perform well in northern Illinois. This variety was selected by the Morton Arboretum.