Myrtus communis - Plant
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Description for Myrtus communis
Myrtus, with the common name myrtle, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Myrtaceae, described by Linnaeus in 1753.
| Common name | Flower colours | Bloom time | Height | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Myrtle, True Myrtle, Brides Myrtle, Roman Myrtle, Sweet Myrtle, Sweet Roman Myrtle, True Roman Myrtle | White with yellow-tipped stamens | May to July | 4.00 to 6.00 feet | Easy to grow |
Planting and care
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.
| Sunlight | Soil | Water | Temperature | Fertilizer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun to Partial Shade | Well drained soil | Medium | 30 to 40 degrees C | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Caring for Myrtus communis
- Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting to create a bear stem. This reduces the water usage of the cutting. Pour a little powdered rooting hormone into a small container. Don t contaminate the large bottle of hormone by dipping the cutting directly into the original bottle. Dip the cut end into the powder, shaking the excess off the stem.
Typical uses of Myrtus communis
Special features: It is typically found in Maquis shrubland together with other low-growing shrubs which have been developed after the clearing of the primary woods of the Mediterranean in the lower mountain environments.
Ornamental use: The plant is used for ornamental purpose.
Medicinal use: Unverified information Myrtle occupies a prominent place in the writings of Hippocrates, Pliny, Dioscorides, Galen, and the Arabian writers. In numerous Mediterranean countries, the extract of the myrtle herb is used to make the hair grow longer in a short period of time.
References
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/3346354/Myrtle-How-to-grow.html
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/propagation-myrtus-communis-cuttings-21565.html
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=282870&isprofile=0&pt=2
