Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Myrtus communis (Common myrtle)
1 hour care
per year
per year
2.5m
Max height
Max height
2.5m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Myrtus communis
Other names
Common myrtle
Genus
Myrtus Myrtus
Species
M. communis - M. communis is an evergreen shrub, neatly packed with shiny green leaves. Pretty white flowers appear in summer and are followed by black berries.
Myrtus communis is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers and foliage are aromatic.
Habit
Bushy, Upright
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 9. If wall-trained, pruning group 13.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame in autumn.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Myrtus communis (Common myrtle) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 2.5m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises
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.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Myrtus communis
Other names
Common myrtle
Genus
Myrtus Myrtus
Species
M. communis - M. communis is an evergreen shrub, neatly packed with shiny green leaves. Pretty white flowers appear in summer and are followed by black berries.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers and foliage are aromatic.
Habit
Bushy, Upright
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 9. If wall-trained, pruning group 13.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame in autumn.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Myrtus communis (Common myrtle) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 2.5m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises
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.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
Myrtus communis (Common myrtle)
Myrtus communis (Common myrtle)
Myrtus communis (Common myrtle)
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By garden designer Thomas Hoblyn. The Dubai Majlis Garden is inspired by the celebrated multiculturalism of the Emirate of Dubai, where more than 3 million people from over 200… read more
By garden designer Stephen Hall. The garden is inspired by the Nordic landscape and the profound relationship between nature and wellbeing. read more
By west London based garden designer Jonathan Snow. Jonathan’s inspiration for his Trailfinders Garden is the Winelands of the Western Cape of South Africa. read more
By garden designer Fiona Cadwallader. Gardens have inspired great poems throughout history, from Homer’s Garden of Alcinous to Milton’s Paradise Lost, through to Elizabeth… read more
Inspired by the new, exciting Witan Investment Trust PLC Global Growth Garden project at RHS Hyde Hall (opening Spring 2017), this garden seeks to demonstrate the fabulous selection of edible plants… read more
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Will it grow back?
Is it dying?
pruning common myrtle
Myrtus communis
There is 1 active discussion about Myrtus communis (Common myrtle)
View all discussions