Dwarf Myrtle
Myrtus communis 'Compacta'
Popular, compact tightly branched evergreen shrub with creamy-white flowers has fragrant foliage when crushed. Extremely useful and dependable as a low hedge and foundation planting.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | MER-tus com-MU-nis |
| Key feature: | Deer Resistant |
| Plant type: | Shrub |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 9 - 11 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Water Needs: | Once established, needs only occasional watering. |
| Average landscape size: | Slow grower to 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide. |
| Growth rate: | Slow |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Spring |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 6217 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape.
Companion Plants
Myrtle was a favorite garden plant of ancient Rome, where it was sheared regularly to release its fragrant oils. It remains an ideal small hedge plant for city gardens in warmer regions, where it works well in Mediterranean and drought-resistant landscapes. Shear or grow naturally. Use as background, a barrier hedge, a formal hedge around a rose garden or as a simple low-maintenance foundation plant for walls and fence lines. Makes a nice and simple topiary form if trained or sheared from the beginning.
History
This ancient evergreen bearing distinctive aromatic oils was held sacred by the Greco-Romans who dedicated it o Venus, goddess of love. Although widely distributed around the Mediterranean, scholars believe it is native to western Asia and naturalized in Europe. By 1640 at least six varieties were under cultivation included this dwarf form. Genus was chosen for its vernacular name in ancient times.
Lore
Myrtus was grown in ancient Pompeii evidenced by colorful painted murals of garden scenes featuring plants in bloom.
Popular, compact tightly branched evergreen shrub with creamy-white flowers has fragrant foliage when crushed. Extremely useful and dependable as a low hedge and foundation planting.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a tidy, neat appearance, shear annually to shape.
Companion Plants
Myrtle was a favorite garden plant of ancient Rome, where it was sheared regularly to release its fragrant oils. It remains an ideal small hedge plant for city gardens in warmer regions, where it works well in Mediterranean and drought-resistant landscapes. Shear or grow naturally. Use as background, a barrier hedge, a formal hedge around a rose garden or as a simple low-maintenance foundation plant for walls and fence lines. Makes a nice and simple topiary form if trained or sheared from the beginning.
History
This ancient evergreen bearing distinctive aromatic oils was held sacred by the Greco-Romans who dedicated it o Venus, goddess of love. Although widely distributed around the Mediterranean, scholars believe it is native to western Asia and naturalized in Europe. By 1640 at least six varieties were under cultivation included this dwarf form. Genus was chosen for its vernacular name in ancient times.
Lore
Myrtus was grown in ancient Pompeii evidenced by colorful painted murals of garden scenes featuring plants in bloom.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | MER-tus com-MU-nis |
| Key feature: | Deer Resistant |
| Plant type: | Shrub |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 9 - 11 |
| Light needs: | Full sun |
| Water Needs: | Once established, needs only occasional watering. |
| Average landscape size: | Slow grower to 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide. |
| Growth rate: | Slow |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Spring |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 6217 |
