Myrtus communis Ball
Origin: Mediterranean regions of southern Europe and Asia. Evergreen shrub, round, compact and spreading. Very old plants can look like small trees. Small leaves from ovate to ovate-lanceolate, leathery, shiny bright green. If the leaves are crushed between the fingers they give off a strong scent. Small, single, axillary creamy-white, fragrant flowers from June to August. Fruit: small, fleshy, bluish-black or purplish-black berries which make the branches very decorative, even indoors. Requires fertile and well drained soil and a warm position. Withstands maritime exposure extremely well. Creates beautiful groups, fits in well in rock gardens and makes beautiful, fragrant, flowering hedges which are decorative even in autumn with their coloured berries.
