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Myrtus communis AGM

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© RHS 1998

Characteristics

Plant type

Shrub or Conservatory/Greenhouse

Habit

Bushy

Fragrance

Leaf or Flower

Resilience

Hardiness

old H3 (may need winter protection)

Colour

Flower

White in Autumn and Summer

Foliage

Dark Green in Autumn, Spring, Summer and Winter

Fruit

Black and Purple in Autumn

Size

Ultimate height

1.5-2.5 metres

Ultimate spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

10-20 years


Preferred common name

common myrtle

Family

Myrtaceae


Myrtus are evergreen shrubs or small trees with aromatic, leathery leaves and solitary, bowl-shaped white flowers followed by fleshy, often edible berries

M. communis is a bushy medium-sized evergreen shrub with small, aromatic, ovate leaves and profuse white flowers 2cm in width, followed by purplish-black berries

Other common names

  • myrtle

How to grow

Sunlight

  • Full sun

Aspect

  • South-facing or West-facing
  • Sheltered

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in moist but well-drained soil, shelter from cold dry winds. Under glass grow in a loam-based compost in filtered light with good ventilation. Requires a long hot summer to produce flowers and fruits

Soil

  • Moist but well-drained
  • Acid, Alkaline or Neutral
  • Chalk, Clay, Sand or Loam

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City/Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Cottage/Informal Garden, Flower borders and beds, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean Climate Plants or Wall-side Borders


How to care

Pruning

Pruning group 9

Pests

Generally pest free

Diseases

Generally disease free