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Myrtus communis (Common myrtle)

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Species
M. communis is an evergreen shrub, neatly packed with shiny green leaves. Pretty white flowers appear in summer and are followed by black berries.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
2.5 m 2.5 m 10-20 years
8 ft 8 ft 10-20 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Outdoors, in mild areas, grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold, drying winds. Needs long, hot summer for flower & fruit production. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in filtered light and good ventilation.

Suggested uses

Containers/Patio, Coastal, Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, City, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wallside and trellises

UK hardiness

H4

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10

Sunset zone

8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Low
Central Valley = Low
South Coastal = Low
South Inland = Moderate/Medium
High and Intermediate Desert = Moderate/Medium
Low Desert = Moderate/Medium

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Upright, Bushy

Native to

Mediterranean

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Flowers and foliage are aromatic.

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 9. If wall-trained, pruning group 13.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings

Propagation

Sow seed in a cold frame in autumn.

Pests

Generally pest-free.

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Prune evergreen shrubs lightly (only if needed)

Cut shoots to within two to four buds of the framework branches

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

Take semi-ripe cuttings

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (6)

Myrtus

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Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina
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Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina Tarentum myrtle
Myrtus communis
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Myrtus communis Common myrtle
Myrtus communis 'Variegata'
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Myrtus communis 'Variegata' Common myrtle 'Variegata'
Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina 'Compacta'
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Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina 'Compacta' Tarentum myrtle 'Compacta'
Myrtus communis 'Guilli'
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Myrtus communis 'Guilli' Common myrtle 'Guilli'
Myrtus communis 'La Clape Blanc'
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Myrtus communis 'La Clape Blanc' Common myrtle 'La Clape Blanc'
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Companion plants (21)

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Stachyurus 'Rubriflorus'
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Stachyurus 'Rubriflorus' Stachyurus 'Rubriflorus'
Stachyurus chinensis 'Celina'
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Stachyurus chinensis 'Celina' Chinese stachyurus 'Celina'
Stachyurus chinensis 'Joy Forever'
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Stachyurus chinensis 'Joy Forever' Chinese stachyurus 'Joy Forever'
Allium schoenoprasum f. albiflorum
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Allium schoenoprasum f. albiflorum White-flowered chives
Allium obliquum
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Allium obliquum Lopsided onion
Allium schoenoprasum 'Middleman'
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Allium schoenoprasum 'Middleman' Chives 'Middleman'
Allium hyalinum
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Allium hyalinum Glassy onion
Allium nevskianum
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Allium nevskianum Turkistan onion
Stachyurus chinensis 'Wonderful Image'
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Stachyurus chinensis 'Wonderful Image' Chinese stachyurus 'Wonderful Image'
Allium aflatunense
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Allium aflatunense Ornamental onion
Allium schoenoprasum
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Allium schoenoprasum Chives
Allium schoenoprasum 'Cha Cha'
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Allium schoenoprasum 'Cha Cha' Chives 'Cha Cha'
Allium schoenoprasum 'Forescate'
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Allium schoenoprasum 'Forescate' Chives 'Forescate'
Allium (any bulbous, ornamental variety)
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Allium (any bulbous, ornamental variety) Allium (any bulbous, ornamental variety)
Allium schoenoprasum 'Corsican White'
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Allium schoenoprasum 'Corsican White' Chives 'Corsican White'
Allium hookeri 'Zorami'
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Allium hookeri 'Zorami' Hooker chives 'Zorami'
Hypericum x moserianum 'Daybreak'
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Hypericum x moserianum 'Daybreak' Gold flower 'Daybreak'
Allium angulosum
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Allium angulosum Mouse garlic
Stachyurus praecox 'Magpie'
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Stachyurus praecox 'Magpie' Early stachyurus 'Magpie'
Hypericum x moserianum 'Tricolor'
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Hypericum x moserianum 'Tricolor' Gold flower 'Tricolor'
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Related content

Discuss Myrtus communis with other Shoot members

Will it grow back?

Shoot User
1076 0
My 14 year old myrtle has lost it's leaves and looks dead, should I take it out altogether or cut it down to the ground? Unfortunately it is the focal point of a very small town garden great for the foliage and the privacy it allowed I am very sad this has happened regards mandy
Posted: Friday 26th of April 2013 04:09 PM Last reply: Tuesday 1st of April 2025 05:18 PM

Is it dying?

Lou
928 0
When garden was re-designed, this thriving hedge, approx 3x3x3ft was uprooted and moved 6 weeks ago. Now, all the leaves have fallen off leaving a skeleton of branches. Is it possible that this is just shock and it might recover?
Thanks, Lou

Lou
Posted: Friday 19th of April 2013 09:33 PM Last reply: Tuesday 1st of April 2025 05:18 PM

Re: pruning common myrtle

Nicola
2261 0
Hi Fiona - please add this plant to your plants I have list and once you do that you will get a how and when to prune guide for this plant. It will appear in your care calendar and within the plant page itself. We only give specific how-to's for the plants you add to your lists.

If you still have more questions after reading the advice there, please write back again and we'll try to help out.

All the best Nicola
Posted: Sunday 10th of October 2010 08:42 AM

pruning common myrtle

Shoot User
2261 1
when is the best time to prune this shrub p,ease , mine has really outgrown its space but i love it .
Posted: Saturday 9th of October 2010 06:58 AM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 12:33 PM

Myrtus communis

Shoot User
909 0
The common myrtle is found all over the Mediterranean but may have originated from western Asia. One variety, Myrtus communis tarentina 'Jenny Reitenbach', is reliably frost resistant. The plant has been widely and anciently grown for a variety of medicinal properties. Nectar and pollen in the flowers are offered to hoverflies and bees and may be followed by ovoid fruits that become dark purple.
Posted: Wednesday 10th of June 2009 05:21 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 12:54 PM
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