Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina

Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina is a subspecies of the common myrtle, particularly interesting for its ease of cultivation. It can be grown in all regions where winter temperatures do not exceed -12°C (10.4°F). This evergreen bush, surrounded by a mystical fragrance and a strong symbolic significance, shares a long history with the peoples of the Mediterranean basin. With its small, tough, dark green foliage densely packed on its branches, it blooms in the heart of summer, punctuating its vegetation with a multitude of small, white, fragrant flowers with prominent stamens, sparkling on its dense and dark mass, light as snowflakes. Relatively hardy in well-drained soil and not demanding on the nature of the soil, this variety is essential in a dry garden, in the sun as well as in the shade!

Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina, also known as Tarentum myrtle, belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It is found in the wild at the edge of oak or pine forests, in scrub vegetation and rocky maquis of the Mediterranean region, up to Lebanon. It is a slow-growing bush with a naturally dense and compact habit. It will reach 1.5 to 2m (5 to 7ft) in height, sometimes more, with a diameter of 1 to 1.5m (3 to 5ft). The evergreen leaves are ovate with a pointed tip and remarkably aromatic. They are used to extract an essential oil widely used in perfumery and aromatherapy. They measure no more than 1cm (1in) in length and 0.5cm (1in) in width. They are shiny on both sides, and have a very pronounced central vein. The bush blooms generously from July to September, which is surprising for a plant in a dry climate. The small, white, solitary flowers with 5 petals, 1cm (1in) wide, open on a large cluster of prominent stamens; they appear in the axils of the leaves, on the current year's shoots. They are followed by the formation of small, pruinose, ovoid and fleshy fruits in autumn. The fruits are black-blue or sometimes white, and are used in cooking or for making liqueurs.

Brighter and finer than boxwood, disease-free, adorned with a thousand adorable little flowers in summer, and fragrant, Myrtus tarentina would undoubtedly be more widely used in small trimmed or informal hedges, and in topiary art if it were a little hardier. It adapts to all exposures, tolerates both acidic and slightly calcareous soils, and requires no special care once well established. The myrtle tolerates pruning very well, in April or October, which does not affect its flowering. If its vegetation is damaged by a severe winter, it is capable of regrowing from the stump. It can be planted with dwarf pomegranates or flowering pomegranates, agapanthus, arborescent wormwoods, and shrubby salvias (microphylla), in a colourful checkerboard or a small Mediterranean-inspired bed. It is easily grown in a large container, for example, accompanying a four seasons mimosa, and withstands sea spray well. At the edge of a grove or woodland, it can be planted alongside Mexican orange blossom, laurel-leaved rockrose (a hardy rockrose to -15°C (5°F)), blood twig dogwood, or European spindle 'Red Cascade'.