Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina 'Compacta'

RHS Plant Profile
Tarentum myrtle 'Compacta'

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Synonyms

Myrtus communis var. compacta
Myrtus romana compacta

Shrubs
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A compact, dense evergreen shrub, with small, narrowly ovate, glossy dark green aromatic foliage. White flowers appear from midsummer to early Autumn, followed by oblong-shaped blue-black berries

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Myrtaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Myrtus are evergreen shrubs or small trees with aromatic, leathery leaves and solitary, bowl-shaped white flowers followed by fleshy, often edible berries
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in most moderately fertile soils. Provide shelter from cold, drying winds. Long, hot summers are required for the production of fruits and flowers

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a coldframe in autumn or root semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 9 or pruning group 13 if wall-trained

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)