Myrtle Herb and Myrtus Communis Subsp

Myrtle comes from a fragrant genus that is widely distributed in warm temperate and tropical regions of the world.

Myrtle is a direct descendant of the Greek Myrtos, the herb of love. It has been dedicated to Venus and was planted all round her temples. The story goes that Venus transformed one of her priestess called Myrrh into myrtle in order to protect her from an over-eager suitor. Also, Venus herself wore a wreath of myrtle when she was given the Golden Apple by Paris in recognition of her beauty. When she arose out of the sea she was carrying a sprig of myrtle, and to this day it grows very well by the sea, flourishing in the salt air.

Subsequently it was considered an aphrodisiac, and brides carried it in their bouquets or wore wreaths of it at weddings to symbolize love and consistency.

Species

Myrtus communis

Myrtle

Half-hardy evergreen perennial. Ht and spread 2-3m (6-10ft). Fragrant white flowers from spring to midsummer, each with a dense cluster of golden stamens; followed by dark, purple-black fruits. The leaves are oval, glossy, dark green and aromatic.

Myrtle communis 'Variegata'

Variegated

Myrtle Half-hardy evergreen perennial. Ht and spread l-2m (3-6ft). Fragrant white flowers from spring to midsummer, each with a hint of pink, and a dense cluster of golden stamens; followed by dark, purple-black fruits. Leaves are oval and dark green with silver variegation, and a pink tinge in autumn.

Myrtle communis subsp. Tarentina

Tarentina Myrtle

Half-hardy evergreen perennial. Ht and spread l-2m (3-6ft). Fragrant white flowers from spring to midsummer, each with a dense cluster of golden stamens; followed by dark, purple-black fruits. Leaves are small and oval, dark green and aromatic. This myrtle is a good hedge in mild areas. Plant 60cm (24in) apart.

Myrtus communis subsp.   I tarentina 'Microphylla Variegata'

Variegated Tarentina Myrtle '

Half-hardy evergreen perennial. Ht 1m (3ft) spread 60cm (2ft). Fragrant white flowers from spring to mid-summer, each with a hint of pink and a dense cluster of golden stamens; I followed by dark, purple- I black fruits. Leaves are small, oval, and dark green with silver variegation, and a pink tinge in autumn. I have included the following two because they" have only recently been reclassified as Luma and are I worth looking out for.

Luma chequen (Myrtus chequen)

Half-hardy evergreen perennial. Ht and spread 10m (30ft). Fragrant white flowers from spring to mid- summer, each with a dense cluster of golden stamens followed by dark purple-black fruits. The leaves an more oblong with a point at the end: glossy dark green and aromatic.

Luma apiculata 'G Ian leant Gold' (Myrtus 'Glanleam Gold')

Half-hardy evergreen   I perennial. Ht and spread 10m (30ft). Fragrant white flowers from mid summer to mid-autumn, each with a hint of pink and a dense cluster of golden stamens: followed by red fruits which darken to deep purple as they ripen. Leaves oval, bright green, edged with creamy yellow.

Cultivation

Propagation

Cuttings

Take softwood cuttings in spring, semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. As these are tender plants it is as well to grow them on in pots for the first 2 years at least. If you live in an area where the winter temperatures fall continuously below 0°C (32°F) - for variegated varieties 5°C (41°F)-it would be better to leave them in their pots for the winter. Use the bark, peat, grit mix of compost.

Pests and Diseases

In the majority of cases myrtles are free from pests and diseases, but susceptible to root rot from over-watering.

Maintenance

Spring: Trim back growth to regain shape. Take softwood cuttings.

Summer: Take semi-hardwood cuttings.

Autumn: Protect from early frosts.

Winter: Protect in the winter if you live in a frost area.

Garden Cultivation

This lovely, tender, aromatic shrub will grow in fertile well-drained soil in full sun. Where your winters are borderline, plant against a south or west facing wall to restrict the amount of water it receives from rain, and protect it from the winds. If a frost is forecast, cover lightly with an agricultural fleece. Trim back growth (where possible) to maintain shape in mid-spring after the frosts have finished.

Harvest

Pick leaves for sweetness and scent when myrtle is in flower; they can be used dried or fresh. Preserve the leaves in oil or vinegar for use in cooking. Pick flowers for drying just as they open.

Culinary

Leaves can be added to pork for the final 10 minutes of roasting, or to lamb when barbecuing. They have a spicy flavor. After drying, the berries can be ground and used like juniper as a spice for game and venison.

Medicinal

The leaves have astringent and antiseptic properties. Rarely used medicinally, but a leaf decoction may be applied externally to bruises and hemorrhoids. Recent research has revealed a substance in myrtle that has an antibiotic action.

Container growing

This plant, when young, is well suited to containers. Use the bark, peat, grit mix of compost. As an evergreen plant, it looks attractive all year round. Place in a cold conservatory away from central heating. Water in the summer months, and allow the compost nearly to dry out in winter. Watch the watering at all times; if ever in doubt give it less rather than more. Feed with a liquid fertilizer during the flowering period.

Other uses

Every part of the shrub is highly aromatic and can be used dried in potpourris.