Myrtus communis
common myrtle
Overview
Myrtus communis is an evergreen shrub growing 5-15 feet (1.5-4.5 m) tall and 5-12 feet (1.5-3.5 m) wide, with a dense, bushy, rounded habit and small reddish-brown branches. The leaves are glossy dark green, oval to lance-shaped, 0.8-2 inches (2-5 cm) long, and release a sweet, spicy aroma when crushed, holding aromatic oils used in perfume and cooking. In summer the shrub bears fragrant white flowers about 0.8-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) across, each with five petals and a central tuft of many white stamens. These are followed by rounded berries 0.3-0.5 inch (7-12 mm) wide that ripen from green to blue-black, edible and used to flavour food and liqueurs. Myrtus communis is native to the Mediterranean region and tolerates drought, heat, limy soils, and coastal wind once established, though it is damaged by hard frost below about 15F (-9C). It responds well to clipping and is grown as a hedge, screen, topiary, and container plant, as well as for its scented foliage and flowers.
Native Range
Myrtus communis is native to the Mediterranean basin, including southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It grows in scrub, open woodland, and on rocky hillsides on well-drained soils, often alongside other drought-adapted evergreens.Suggested Uses
M. communis is grown as an evergreen hedge, screen, topiary, and container plant, and for its aromatic leaves, flowers, and berries used in cooking and perfume. Its scented foliage suits paths and entrances where it is brushed in passing. In cold-winter regions it is kept in pots and moved under cover from hard frost.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height5' - 15'
Width/Spread5' - 12'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Fragrant white flowers open through summer, mainly June to August, scattered singly among the upper leaves. Each flower lasts a few days and draws bees and other insects. Blue-black berries follow in autumn and may hang on the shrub into winter.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow M. communis in full sun to light shade on free-draining soil; it accepts sandy, loamy, and limy ground and tolerates drought and coastal wind once established. The shrub suits USDA zones 8-11 and is damaged by hard frost below about 15F (-9C), so it needs a sheltered spot or container in cold-winter areas. Water through the first summer to settle the roots, then water only in long dry spells. Clip after flowering to shape hedges and topiary, as heavy flowering follows lighter trimming. A spring feed supports dense growth on poor soils.Pruning
M. communis tolerates regular clipping and suits hedging and topiary. Trim after the summer flowering, as shaping earlier removes the flower buds. It reshoots from old wood, so overgrown plants can be cut back hard to renew them.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons