Myrtle is widely planted
outdoors in America for its aromatic evergreen leaves, profuse
sweet-scented white flowers, and half-inch-long bluish-black berries.
Growing 3 to 15 feet high, it prefers a sheltered spot in the garden
similar to the evergreen thickets where it is found in the wild. It isn’t
too particular about soil, thriving in dry, rocky places, and needs a
little pruning. The bush can be increased by seed sown in spring or
summer, or by cuttings of half-ripened wood taken in August and raised
under glass.
In northern areas myrtle is a common greenhouse plant, often growth by
florists for decorations. If the plants are potted and brought in for the
winter to a cool greenhouse or conservatory, they should be provided with
a loamy, well-drained soil and pruned to an appropriate size.
There are well over 100 species of myrtle from both the Old and New
Worlds, but only a few are of interest to the gardener. Besides the tree
myrtle (Myrtus communis) there is a form with three leaves instead of two
at every joint that is used by the Jews for religious ceremonies such as
the Feast of Tabernacles. Anther popular type is the ugni or Chilean guava
(Myrtus ugni), a shrub or small tree not over 20 feet high that is hardy
form zone 6 southward and can be grown in the greenhouse farther north. An
attractive bush with shiny green leaves that are white beneath and
rose-pink flowers, it bears purplish-red, pleasantly flavored juicy
berries the size of peas that make delicious jellies and jams. It, too,
should be grown outdoors against a wall, or in another protected spot, and
can be propagated by seed or cuttings.
also see (Myrtle
the Aphrodisiac)