Last year I planted a Myrtus communis in a sunny but protected area [protected by surrounding shrubs of about the same height, about a foot and a half to 2 feet] and it has been doing quite well, growing steadily this summer, filling out sideways, and with healthy leaves. Now it is beginning to produce flowerbuds [in early September!] and I am quite excited... Do others experience such a late flowering period? I did just see in a U.K. site a reference from Wales to its blooming in September... but elsewhere "late summer"... I was beginning to wonder if it would bloom at all... A few leaves in the interior of the shrub are showing some yellow but I assume this is just leaf-aging... the rest of it is green and luxuriant. Also, deer seem to leave it alone, which is great. With the temperatures in Saanich, Vancouver Island, what do people recommend for over-wintering? It is surrounded by evergreen shrubs of various types, but I wonder if I should wrap it in winter in a loose burlap, but would that just inhibit the leaves receiving sunlight? Last winter did not seem to harm it...
Hi, Myrtus communis is native here in Portugal. It flowers from May through to September. Normally I would think it is at its peak in maybe July, but this year it is peaking around now. Enjoy! BrianO
Interesting. Must have been a cool summer everywhere, even in Portugal. Global warming, you know. Or Arctic melting sending the ice down as cold water, making our climates cooler... Well, I will wait for developments and see what the blooms look like. Photos make the plant quite unusual, and I am waiting with anticipation. Isn't this Forum amazing, to get a reply from the heart of the native myrtle habitat in Portugal, all the way from a question from Vancouver Island, BC, Canada! Beside the myrtle is a specimen of Osmanthus burkwoodii of the same age and planting history [one year ago] which has not yet bloomed (hoping for next spring -- the web info says it's a late spring bloomer) but the two of them make nice companions, having rather small, neat, strong leaves which those living in deer territory will be pleased to note seem to be totally unattractive to foraging deer. I have used my special deer spray on other things but these two plants have not required it.
Yes - I think this is a fantastic resource for us all. The cultivated varieties of myrtle are very floriferous and the flowers have a great fragrance. With any luck you will also get lots of bluey-black berries - also very attractive. I just checked out "Flora Iberica" (available on the web - in Spanish), the standard flora for Spain and Portugal and it says it flowers from January to October with the main flowering period May-July. This summer has been relatively cool here (few days > 30'C,(86'F)) but remarkably dry with only two short showers in 3 months. Even with no water, the wild myrtle looks OK - it is a great shrub. Ciao BrianO
Kept in a frame for years at Seattle arboretum. Have seen a few unprotected ones with some years behind them in ordinary local gardens, but certainly not a common item here. Small starters can be frequent in outlets, even grocery stores. Current Sunset WESTERN GARDEN BOOK doesn't zone it north of California. Old original Grant & Grant TREES AND SHRUBS FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST GARDENS from the 1940s thought it had potential for mild coastal gardens this far north.
