The True Myrtle (Myrtus communis), also known as Common or Sweet Myrtle, is an evergreen shrub that adds beauty, fragrance, and versatility to any garden. Native to the Mediterranean, it is celebrated for its aromatic, white or pinkish flowers, which bloom in the summer, and its small, edible blue berries. The leaves and berries of the Myrtle plant have been used for culinary, medicinal, and ornamental purposes for centuries. With 20 seeds in this pack, you’ll have the opportunity to grow this versatile shrub, creating a fragrant and fruit-bearing addition to your garden landscape.

Key Features:

• Fragrant White Flowers: The True Myrtle produces beautiful, aromatic white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer, adding a sweet fragrance to your garden.
• Edible Blue Berries: After flowering, the plant produces blue berries that are edible and can be used for making jams, jellies, or flavoring culinary dishes.
• Evergreen Shrub: The Myrtle is an evergreen shrub, meaning it maintains its lush green foliage throughout the year, offering year-round interest and a rich backdrop for other plants.
• Attractive Foliage: The glossy, aromatic leaves have a rich green color and are often used in cooking or dried for ornamental purposes.
• Versatile Use: Myrtle makes an excellent addition to herb gardens, ornamental hedges, or as a stand-alone shrub in borders or pots.
• Hardy & Resilient: Myrtle is adaptable to a variety of climates and soils, making it a robust and low-maintenance plant for most gardens.

Growing Information:

Light:
True Myrtle thrives in full sun to partial shade. For best growth and abundant flowering, ensure it gets plenty of sunlight, but it can also tolerate some shade, especially in hotter climates.

Soil:
Myrtle prefers well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0). It adapts to a variety of soil types, including sandy or loamy soils, and benefits from the addition of organic matter to enrich the soil.

Planting Tips:
Plant the seeds in spring after the last frost. Start seeds indoors in a seed tray about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Lightly cover the seeds with soil as they need light to germinate. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into the garden. Space the plants about 3-4 feet apart to allow for growth. If planting in containers, choose large pots with good drainage.

Watering:
Water the True Myrtle regularly, especially during dry spells. The plant prefers moderately moist soil but is drought-tolerant once established. Ensure the soil does not become waterlogged by providing proper drainage.

Temperature:
Myrtle is hardy in USDA zones 8-11 and prefers mild winters and warm summers. It can tolerate a range of temperatures but is sensitive to prolonged freezing conditions, making it ideal for temperate climates or as a container plant in colder regions.

Pruning:
Prune the plant after flowering to maintain its shape and remove any dead or damaged branches. Myrtle responds well to light pruning and will encourage more growth and flowering in subsequent seasons.

Benefits:

• Fragrant Blooms: The sweetly scented white flowers attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, while adding a pleasant fragrance to your garden.
• Edible Fruit: The blue berries are edible and can be used in a variety of culinary applications, such as jams, jellies, or flavoring desserts.
• Year-Round Interest: As an evergreen shrub, Myrtle provides lush foliage and a rich green backdrop throughout the year, even when other plants are dormant.
• Versatile Uses: The leaves can be used in cooking (especially Mediterranean dishes), while the plant itself can be used in ornamental hedges, as ground cover, or in containers.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, Myrtle is relatively low-maintenance, requiring only occasional pruning and regular watering during dry periods.

Growing Zones:
Myrtle thrives in USDA zones 8-11, making it ideal for temperate to subtropical regions. It can be grown in colder climates as a container plant and moved indoors during winter.

How to Use in the Garden:

• Ornamental Shrub: Plant Myrtle as a fragrant hedge or border plant. It can also be used to create a natural screen or windbreak due to its dense foliage.
• Herb or Edible Garden: Incorporate Myrtle into herb gardens or edible landscapes. The aromatic leaves can be harvested for culinary uses, adding a Mediterranean flavor to dishes.
• Ground Cover: Its spreading growth habit makes Myrtle an excellent choice for low-maintenance ground cover in sunny or partially shaded areas.
• Container Planting: Myrtle is also perfect for container gardening, whether placed on patios, balconies, or decks. In colder climates, this provides the flexibility of moving the plant indoors during winter.

Conclusion:
The True Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is a fragrant, attractive shrub that offers year-round beauty, fragrant blooms, and edible blue berries. Whether used for ornamental purposes, culinary applications, or simply as a fragrant addition to your garden, Myrtle brings versatility and charm. With 20 seeds in this pack, you can cultivate your own shrub, filling your garden with the delightful scent and colorful beauty of this Mediterranean gem.