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Myrtle trees, known for their rich history and myriad benefits, have captivated gardeners, landscapers, and tree enthusiasts for centuries. These evergreen trees and shrubs from the Myrtus genus are a visual delight, adorned with glossy green leaves, fragrant blossoms, and brightly colored berries. Beyond their ornamental value, myrtle species offer medicinal, culinary, and ecological benefits, making them a smart choice for both home landscapes and larger planting projects.
Whether you are planning a Mediterranean-style courtyard, a wildlife-friendly hedge, or a scented patio garden, myrtle trees can provide year-round interest and multi-purpose value. Many species tolerate coastal wind and light salt spray, making them useful in coastal planting designs, while smaller forms adapt well to containers, courtyards, and urban patios.
The Myrtus spp., commonly known as myrtle, includes several evergreen trees and shrubs in the Myrtaceae family. Native primarily to the Mediterranean region and western Asia, they share the family with other well-known plants such as eucalyptus, guava, clove, and allspice. These relatives hint at myrtle’s potential for fragrance, essential oils, and culinary use.
Myrtle species are typically drought-tolerant once established, yet many also perform well in mild coastal climates where soils are free draining. Their ability to thrive in hot, dry summers and cool, wetter winters makes them a good choice for climate-resilient landscapes and water-smart planting schemes.
With dense, dark green foliage, attractively textured bark, and clusters of fragrant white or cream flowers, myrtle trees earn their place as reliable ornamental plants. Many cultivars can be clipped into formal hedges, topiaries, and patio standards, while others are allowed to grow naturally as multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees.
The aromatic leaves, starry blossoms, and purplish-black myrtle berries add charm across the seasons. When planted along paths, near seating areas, or in courtyards, their fragrance becomes part of the experience. Myrtle can be combined with olive trees, lavender, and rosemary to create a classic Mediterranean feel, or mixed with native shrubs in more naturalistic designs.
Myrtle is far more than just a pretty landscape shrub. For centuries, the leaves, flowers, and berries of various myrtle species have been harvested for their medicinal properties. Traditional uses include preparations as antiseptic, astringent, and decongestant remedies, often in the form of infusions or steam inhalations. Myrtle essential oil, distilled from foliage and sometimes flowers, remains a valued ingredient in modern aromatherapy and natural skincare.
The berries of Myrtus communis are edible and used in traditional Mediterranean cuisine to flavor meats, liqueurs, and robust, aromatic wines. In some regions they are dried and ground as a spice. If you’re interested in plants that bridge health, flavor, and fragrance, you may also want to explore our guides to medicinal plants and culinary herbs that pair beautifully with myrtle in the garden.
Most myrtle species prefer full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. In cooler regions they appreciate a warm, sheltered microclimate, such as a south-facing wall or courtyard. Once established, many myrtles become relatively drought tolerant, making them appropriate for water-wise gardens, though regular deep watering during the first one or two seasons is important for strong root development.
Pruning is typically done after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense branching. Light annual trimming can keep formal hedges sharp, while more relaxed, occasional pruning is enough for specimen shrubs. In containers, choose a high-quality, free-draining potting mix, provide good drainage, and feed regularly with a balanced organic fertilizer to support foliage and flower production.
There are many plants commonly referred to as “myrtle,” including true Myrtus species and several unrelated trees and shrubs that share similar foliage or growth habits. Key examples include:
Each of these “myrtles” brings its own combination of fragrance, flowers, berries, and environmental toughness. Choosing the right one depends on your climate, soil conditions, and design goals.
Common myrtle is an evergreen shrub widely cultivated for both its aesthetics and its fragrance. Glossy, dark green leaves create a rich backdrop for charming, star-shaped white flowers that perfume the air in mid-summer. In warm climates and good soil, myrtle can reach 3–5 m (10–16 ft) tall, forming a handsome specimen or clipped hedge.
Historically, common myrtle has carried deep cultural symbolism. In ancient Greece it was associated with love and immortality, woven into bridal wreaths and ceremonial garlands. In Roman mythology, myrtle was sacred to Venus, symbolizing love, beauty, and purification. Today, this symbolism persists in some regions where myrtle sprigs still appear in wedding bouquets and religious ceremonies. The leaves and berries have also been used in herbal medicine and cooking, reminding us that this plant is as useful as it is beautiful.
Wax myrtle, also known as Southern bayberry, is a small to medium-sized native North American tree that has long served both people and wildlife. Its distinctive grayish-white berries produce a fragrant wax when boiled, traditionally used by early settlers to make candles and soaps. The narrow, evergreen leaves release a spicy, resinous aroma when crushed, adding another sensory layer to this useful shrub.
Wax myrtle thrives in a remarkable range of soils—from sandy and well-drained to wet and poorly drained—and tolerates both seasonal flooding and moderate salinity. That adaptability makes it ideal for coastal landscaping, windbreaks, and erosion control. A dense root system knits soil together, while the lush foliage provides cover and nesting sites for birds. The berries are an important winter food source for many species, making wax myrtle a valuable component of wildlife-friendly plantings.
Crape myrtle is technically not a true myrtle, but its popularity and similar landscape roles often group it with myrtle trees. This deciduous ornamental is celebrated for vibrant, long-lasting summer blooms in shades of white, pink, red, and lavender. The crinkled petals resemble crepe paper, creating large, showy clusters that can last for weeks in warm weather.
Native to parts of China and Korea, crape myrtle has been widely planted across the United States, particularly in USDA hardiness zones 7–9. It tolerates heat, sun, and urban conditions, making it a staple in streetscapes and home gardens. Even when leaves drop in winter, the tree remains attractive thanks to its exfoliating bark, which peels to reveal smooth trunks in shades of gray, pink, and cinnamon brown. Combined with its manageable size and tolerance of pruning, crape myrtle earns its place as a high-impact, low-maintenance feature tree.
Lemon myrtle is a striking Australian tree prized for its intensely aromatic foliage. The bright green, lance-shaped leaves release a powerful lemon scent when crushed—often stronger and more complex than actual lemon fruit. In summer, the canopy is dotted with clusters of creamy white flowers that attract pollinators and contrast beautifully with the foliage.
Lemon myrtle is as useful as it is beautiful. Its leaves are widely used in tea blends, syrups, desserts, spice mixes, and savory dishes, offering a clean, citrusy flavor that pairs well with fish, poultry, and native bush foods. Distilled essential oil from the leaves is rich in citral and features prominently in aromatherapy and natural cosmetic products, where it is valued for its uplifting scent and antimicrobial properties.
The intense fragrance also gives lemon myrtle a role in natural pest management. Planting it near outdoor seating areas or crushing leaves into potpourri can help deter certain insects, offering an eco-friendly complement to other organic gardening techniques.
Red myrtle, a compact form of common myrtle, is cherished for its tight, upright habit and colorful stems. Narrow, glossy, dark-green leaves are carried on reddish twigs that glow in low winter light, providing color and structure when many other shrubs have gone bare. Its smaller size makes it ideal for courtyards, terraces, and container plantings where space is limited.
Like its larger cousin, red myrtle is wonderfully fragrant. Late-summer brings a flush of star-shaped white blossoms that perfume the surrounding air and draw in pollinators. These flowers develop into purplish-black berries that feed birds and add another seasonal highlight. Together, glossy foliage, red stems, white flowers, and dark berries create an ever-changing display that rewards close attention throughout the year.
Bog myrtle is a deciduous shrub native to cool, wet habitats such as peat bogs, lake margins, and coastal wetlands in the Northern Hemisphere. It forms low, bushy thickets with aromatic leaves that release a sweet, balsamic scent when crushed. The plant thrives in acidic, waterlogged soils where many other shrubs struggle, making it a useful choice for bog gardens and wetland restoration projects.
In spring and early summer, bog myrtle produces small, yellow-green catkins that give way to tiny, resinous fruits. These provide food for birds and help support wetland biodiversity. Historically, the plant held an important place in traditional medicine, where leaves and flowering tops were used to treat skin complaints, digestive issues, and minor infections. It also has a long history in brewing: before hops dominated beer production, bog myrtle was a key ingredient in herbal ales.
The same aromatic compounds that humans find pleasant have a repellent effect on certain insects, earning bog myrtle a reputation as a natural insect deterrent. Used thoughtfully, it can complement other permaculture strategies aimed at reducing the need for synthetic pesticides near homes and campsites.
Blue myrtle, despite the name, is actually a small eucalyptus species. It earns its common name from its silvery-blue, coin-shaped leaves that create a striking contrast in mixed plantings. Each leaf is covered in a waxy bloom that intensifies the blue coloration and helps the plant conserve moisture in hot, dry conditions.
During winter and early spring, blue myrtle erupts in clusters of bright yellow flowers that hover above the foliage like small, fluffy pom-poms. The combination of blue leaves and golden blooms makes this species valuable in color-themed gardens and contemporary landscape designs. While not a true myrtle, it pairs well with other drought-tolerant Mediterranean and Australian species in xeriscape plantings.
In the strict botanical sense, “myrtle” refers to Myrtus communis, an evergreen Mediterranean shrub or small tree with glossy leaves, starry white flowers and purple-black berries. It’s widely planted as an ornamental hedge, clipped topiary or small specimen tree in mild climates.
Beyond its good looks, common myrtle has long been valued for its aromatic foliage and berries. The leaves and fruits are used in traditional Mediterranean cuisine to flavor meats, liqueurs and robust myrtle wines, and they also appear in herbal remedies and essential oil blends for their astringent and antiseptic properties. Other plants that borrow the “myrtle” name, such as wax myrtle, lemon myrtle and bog myrtle, are likewise used for fragrance, natural waxes, teas and traditional medicine.
True myrtle is Myrtus communis from the Myrtaceae family. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree with small, glossy, aromatic leaves, white, star-shaped flowers and dark berries, native to the Mediterranean region and Western Asia.
Several other shrubs and trees are called “myrtle” in common language but belong to different genera:
They share ornamental or aromatic qualities, but each has its own growth habit, climate preferences and traditional uses.
The berries of common myrtle (Myrtus communis) are considered edible and are used in some Mediterranean regions to flavor meats, sauces and liqueurs. The seeds inside can be somewhat bitter, but the fruits and leaves are prized for their resinous, spicy aroma.
Other plants that carry the myrtle name vary in edibility and traditional use. Bog myrtle has a history in brewing and folk medicine, while wax myrtle berries are primarily used as a source of wax for candles rather than as food. Because different “myrtles” belong to different genera, always identify the plant correctly and consult local guidance before eating leaves or berries, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the species.
Common myrtle thrives in Mediterranean-type climates with hot, dry summers, mild winters and well-drained soils. It prefers full sun to light shade, especially where summers are not extremely harsh, and benefits from protection from severe cold or drying winter winds.
Other myrtle-named species have different site preferences:
Matching the species to your climate, soil and exposure is the key to long-term success when planting any myrtle.
Many myrtle species are well adapted to dry or coastal environments once established. Common myrtle is naturally drought-tolerant in Mediterranean climates when planted in well-drained soil and mulched to conserve moisture. It prefers regular watering during its first few years but can survive extended dry periods later on.
Wax myrtle is especially valuable in coastal landscapes. It tolerates salty air, sandy soils and periodic flooding, and its dense root system helps stabilize banks and dunes. Crape myrtle also tolerates heat, humidity and brief drought once roots are established. In all cases, deep, infrequent watering and organic mulch around the root zone (kept off the trunk) help these shrubs and small trees ride out hot, dry spells with less stress.
Yes. Myrtle trees and shrubs can be excellent plants for wildlife habitat. The fragrant flowers of common myrtle, lemon myrtle and crape myrtle provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. Crape myrtle, in particular, can bloom for weeks in summer, offering a long feeding window for pollinators.
The berries of common myrtle, wax myrtle and bog myrtle feed a range of birds and small mammals. Dense evergreen foliage in common and red myrtle hedges provides nesting sites and shelter from wind and predators. By incorporating myrtle species into mixed hedges and shrub borders, you can increase the structural diversity and seasonal food supply of your garden for local wildlife.
Myrtle is a flexible design element that can be used in many ways, depending on the species:
Many myrtle species adapt well to large containers on terraces and balconies, provided they receive enough sun, regular water and periodic pruning. Combined with other aromatic and medicinal plants, myrtles help create rich, multi-sensory plantings that look good and work hard in the landscape.
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