Myrtus communis
(Common Myrtle)
Family - Myrtaceae
Category - Shrub
Origin - Southern Europe, Western Asia, Mediterranean
Year of Introduction - Introduced to cultivation in England sometime in the 16th century.
Season of Interest - Summer
Hardiness - H4
Height - up to 3m
Location - The Terrace
Description: Medium, upright Evergreen Shrub with aromatic, glossy, dark green leaves. Fragrant white flowers with numerous stamens open from round, red buds in mid to late summer. Flowers are followed by dark purple-black berries.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Flower:
Fragrant, white flowers with five petals have a conspicuous cluster of long stamens and are produced from July into August, sometimes later.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Solitary, 5-petalled
Flowering time: July, August
Foliage:
Opposite, ovate leaves are glossy, dark green and aromatic.
Foliage Senescence: Evergreen
Foliage Shape: Ovate
Propagation:
Seed, cuttings.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in fertile, moisture retentive but well drained soil. Prefers a sheltered position.