Myrtle: How to grow

Val Bourne's tips on on growing a vibrant evergreen

Evergreens come into their own in winter, but some are more vibrant than others. Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is one of the most luminescent of all, with glossy, emerald green foliage that resembles a miniature bay in form.

	Sacred hardy: Myrtus communis

In midwinter, many of the shoots are crowned by a series of radiating pink stems that are themselves topped with small heather-pink stars. These are immature fruits that eventually berry into purple-black, but in their unformed state they brighten the foliage and give this ancient, egg-shaped evergreen extra sparkle.

In the wild, myrtle is found in dry, warm areas of southern Europe and western Asia. It arrived in Britain from Spain in 1585, imported by Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Carew, who are also said to have introduced orange trees to Britain.

In our cooler climate, myrtle needs to be tucked against a sheltered wall, grown in a seaside garden with a maritime climate, or planted in a container if it's to avoid being browned by frost.

However, our recent warmer winters, which have encouraged us to embrace the olive, should also encourage us to plant more myrtle outdoors, particularly as it is the hardier of the two Mediterranean trees. If the winter is wet, you will need to protect it from heavy rain by fleecing it.

When crushed, myrtle leaves exude a soft eucalyptus aroma reminiscent of the Australian gum. Indeed, the two are closely related. Myrtle does not appear to have a medicinal use like eucalyptus, but the leaves are dried for potpourris and used to flavour pork and game dishes.

Usefully, they keep their rich, emerald green colour when dried. On hot summer days there is often a very slight aromatic scent as you brush past the leaves, so place your plant close to a door or path whenever you can.

The Greeks and the Romans held this elegant evergreen in special regard. It was the sacred herb of Aphrodite; her Roman alter ego, Venus, wore a myrtle wreath and is often depicted rising from the sea with a sprig of myrtle. As a result, all over the Mediterranean mature myrtles can be found planted close to temples dedicated to the goddess of love.

The plant is also thought to have aphrodisiac qualities and it is traditional to use myrtle in bridal bouquets. But this may be because it produces vestal-white flowers in July and August, when many brides marry. The fragrant flowers, though small, are packed with a mass of gold-tipped stamens that gleam in full sun. So it's not surprising that myrtle is associated with the Virgin Mary, or that it was a Victorian symbol of love and constancy.

The variegated form (Myrtus communis 'Variegata') has pink-tinged flowers and silver-green leaves and it shines and sparkles in winter and summer sun. A more compact form with smaller leaves, Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina, is sometimes used for low hedges; there is also a cream-edged form of this.

How to Grow

For the best results, plant myrtle outdoors in late spring in a well-drained, sheltered position. This gives it the best chance of establishing lots of root before winter weather sets in.

You can also grow myrtle in a container in soil-based compost. Water and feed with a potash-rich tomato food during the growing season.

The potash will encourage more flower and also harden the wood. Ease off watering from late August onwards, and then dry off almost completely before over-wintering the container. The shelter of a warm wall under the eaves of the house is a perfect place.

Propagation

Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer as an insurance policy against loss. Look for new growth that has started to firm up and choose non-flowering shoots if possible (otherwise remove the buds). Take off some of the lower leaves and trim below the node with a sharp knife or scissors. Plunge the cuttings into horticultural sand, or a 50 per cent mixture of sand and compost, and place out of direct sunlight.

Cuttings should root within six to 12 weeks. Pot up individually in gritty compost and overwinter in a sheltered, frost-free place until the following spring. You can either keep the young plants in pots for another year, or plant them out. But they will need both protection from winter squalls and careful nurturing through dry springs.

Good Companions

The black strappy grass, Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens', also a lover of a warm spot, has dark leaves that will flatter myrtle's white flowers in summer and pick up the black berries in autumn.

Bulbous plants share the same love of well-drained, dry conditions and you could accentuate the vivid green leaves by under-planting myrtle with silver-leaved forms of spring-flowering cyclamen, Cyclamen coum Pewter Group or Silver Group. Species tulips and white muscari also work well. The curly-leaved golden marjoram (Origanum vulgare 'Aureum Crispum'), can be cut into small mounds to create a leafy contrast.

Where to Buy

Jekka's Herb Farm, Alveston, Bristol (01454 418 878, www.jekkasherbfarm.com).

Green Garden Herbs, Selby, North Yorkshire (01405 860708, www.greengardenherbs.co.uk).