October Plant of the Month: True Myrtle Myrtus communis
Written by Lisa Endicott, Horticulture Manager
October 21, 2022
The Plant of the Month for October is chosen by David Knight, Turtle Bay’s Lead Gardener for the Sundial Bridge environs, Turtle Bay Grounds, and Sheraton Redding Hotel landscape. True Myrtles Myrtus communis (and cultivars) are native to the Mediterranean Basin. David cites their evergreen foliage, great textures, and different growth patterns, as well as their drought tolerance, as reasons why they are some of his favorite plants.
Planted with an Olive tree in front of the Sheraton Hotel. Olives and True Myrtles can often be found growing together in their home ranges of the Mediterranean Basin.
In its home ranges, true myrtle grows in various situations, including rocky slopes. It has been traditionally used for culinary purposes, as well as medicinal uses. True myrtle also has a place in Greek mythology for its association with Aphrodite, among other mythological stories. Its foliage and flowers have been a part of bridal bouquets and used in other celebrations for millennia.
With attractive purple berries in the fall - True Myrtle and Variegated True Myrtle Myrtus communis and Myrtus communis ‘Compacta variegata’.
The berries are edible, but not tasty without preparation, and full of seeds. (Which makes them easy to propagate!)
True myrtle and its cultivars are medium to large shrubs. Its evergreen foliage (and flowers) have a sweet pine-like scent that is produced by the oils that also make it unpalatable to deer. We have not experienced any pests or diseases attacking our true myrtles (of which we have many). Overwatering seems to be their only real problem, which makes them perfect for drought-tolerant gardens!
True myrtle is not related to Crepe Myrtle Lagerstroemia indica. Among other differences, true myrtle is evergreen, while crepe myrtle loses its leaves in the fall.
With little training, Twisted Myrtle Myrtus communis ‘Boetica’ can have a unique twisting structure.
With more training (pruning), Twisted Myrtle Myrtus communis ‘Boetica’ can have a more dense form.
True Myrtle is available in our Nursery now!
There are four types of True Myrtle available at the Turtle Bay Nursery:
1) Myrtus communis True Myrtle
2) Myrtus communis ‘Compacta’ Compact True Myrtle
3) Myrtus communis ‘Compacta Variegata’ Variegated Compact True Myrtle
4) Myrtus communis ‘Boetica’ Twisted Myrtle
Caring for True Myrtle and cultivars in our area:
Plant in well-draining soil.
If you don’t have well-draining soil, create small (or large) raised planting areas.
Water weekly or 2 x a week in summer until established (1-2 years), then occasionally. Tip: If you want faster growth, can water more (but preferable to let the soil dry in between waterings).
When young (up to 2-3 years old), prune True Myrtle at least once a year, maybe more, depending on growth rate (may want to exclude twisted Myrtle from this) when young to develop a good, dense branching structure.