Genus: Myrtus

Common Names: sweet myrtle, true myrtle and common myrtle all referring to M. communis and Saharan or desert myrtle referring to M. nivellei

A genus of, currently, only two accepted species- M. communis which is widely cultivated and M. nivellei, an endagered species, endemic to two mountain ranges in Algeria and Chad.

M. communis -- edible blue-black berries are commonly used to flavor pork and sausages as well as to produce a liqueur called mirto rosso. Myrtles have been used medicinally since before 2500 BCE and have been included in many rituals and mythologies of the peoples and civilizations close to the Mediterranean Sea. Queen Victoria of England was especially fond of myrtles and since her reign they have been traditional in wedding bouquets in many European cultures. Much like sweet bay leaf, leaves or sprigs of myrtles can be used to flavor stews or stuffing and then discarded once the dish is served.

M. nivellei --  used in traditional medicine

Distribution: the Mediterranean Basin and eastward to India

Myrtus communis 'Redside'

Common name(s): myrtle

Description: evergreen shrub; bred and introduced by Cistus Design Nursery. Reddish stems and red-flushed leaves on new growth. Fragrant white star flowers in early summer followed by blue-black berries in autumn. Berries and leaves have been used since ancient times in medicine, cooking, and rituals. Known as 'the wedding herb' since Roman times and still a common addition to bridal bouquets.

Height: to 5 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: culinary- to flavor meat, liqueurs, stews and stuffings, medicine, ornamental- as a specimen plant or low hedge

Winter Hardiness: to 10 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Myrtus communis subsp. communis 'Andy's Hardy'

Common name(s): hardy sweet myrtle, hardy wild myrtle

Description: evergreen shrub; 'Andy's Hardy' is a particularly hardy form selected for its reliable performance in severe Oregon winters. M. communis subsp. communis is commonly known as wild myrtle and is defined by its larger, broader leaves than subsp. tarentina. Glossy, aromatic foliage and fragrant white star flowers in summer that ripen into blue-black berries by autumn. Berries and leaves have been used since ancient times in medicine, cooking, and rituals. Known as 'the wedding herb' since Roman times and still a common addition to bridal bouquets.

Height: to 5 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: culinary- to flavor meat, liqueurs, stews and stuffings, medicine, ornamental- as a specimen plant or low hedge

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Myrtus communis subsp. communis 'Anne McDonald'

Common name(s): myrtle, true myrtle

Description: evergreen shrub; an outstanding myrtle selected from the Elk Rock garden of renowned Portland gardener, Lady Anne Kerr McDonald (1906-2001). A large myrtle by West Coast standards to 8 ft. or more, eventually producing a thick, woody trunk. In extremely severe winters the plant may freeze down to the base but will often send up many new shoots come spring. Broad, aromatic leaves and relatively large, fragrant white star flowers in summer that ripen into blue-black berries by autumn. Berries and leaves have been used since ancient times in medicine, cooking, and rituals. Known as 'the wedding herb' since Roman times and still a common addition to bridal bouquets.

Height: to 8 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: culinary- to flavor meat, liqueurs, stews and stuffings, medicine, ornamental- as a specimen plant or low hedge

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Myrtus communis subsp. communis 'Variegata'

Common name(s): variegated sweet myrtle, variegated wild myrtle

Description: evergreen shrub; a very old selection with cream-white leaf margins. M. communis subsp. communis is commonly known as wild myrtle and is defined by its larger, broader leaves than subsp. tarentina. Glossy, aromatic foliage and fragrant white flowers in summer that ripen into blue-black berries by autumn. Berries and leaves have been used since ancient times in medicine, cooking, and rituals. Known as 'the wedding herb' since Roman times and still a common addition to bridal bouquets.

Height: to 4 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: culinary- to flavor meat, liqueurs, stews and stuffings, medicine, ornamental- as a specimen plant or low hedge

Winter Hardiness: to 10 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina

Common name(s): dwarf sweet myrtle

Description: evergreen shrub; M. communis subsp. tarentina is defined by its smaller, narrower leaves than subsp. communis and is more commonly found in cultivation. Glossy, aromatic foliage and fragrant white flowers in summer that ripen into blue-black berries by autumn. Berries and leaves have been used since ancient times in medicine, cooking, and rituals. Known as 'the wedding herb' since Roman times and still a common addition to bridal bouquets.

Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: culinary- to flavor meat, liqueurs, stews and stuffings, medicine, ornamental- as a specimen plant or low hedge

Winter Hardiness: to 10 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina 'Microphylla'

Common name(s): compact dwarf sweet myrtle

Description: evergreen shrub; 'Microphylla' is a cultivar with tidy, compact growth and is ideal for hedges and landscaping. Glossy, aromatic foliage and fragrant white flowers in summer that ripen into blue-black berries by autumn. Berries and leaves have been used since ancient times in medicine, cooking, and rituals. Known as 'the wedding herb' since Roman times and still a common addition to bridal bouquets.

Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: culinary- to flavor meat, liqueurs, stews and stuffings, medicine, ornamental- as a specimen plant or low hedge

Winter Hardiness: to 10 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought

Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina 'Microphylla Variegata'

Common name(s): variegated dwarf sweet myrtle

Description: evergreen shrub; 'Microphylla Variegata' is a cultivar with tidy, compact growth and variegated leaves. Glossy, aromatic foliage and fragrant white flowers in summer that ripen into blue-black berries by autumn. Berries and leaves have been used since ancient times in medicine, cooking, and rituals. Known as 'the wedding herb' since Roman times and still a common addition to bridal bouquets.

Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Position: full sun and well-draining soil

Uses: culinary- to flavor meat, liqueurs, stews and stuffings, medicine, ornamental- as a specimen plant or low hedge

Winter Hardiness: to 10 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought