Myrtus communis 'Compacta'

Botanical Name: Myrtus communis 'Compacta'
Common Name: Compact True Myrtle

• Family: Myrtaceae
• Origin: Mediterranean
• Climate Zone: USDA 8a-10b Sunset 8-24
• Mature Height: 2-3 feet
• Mature Width: 2-3 feet
• Plant Type: Evergreen
• Growth Habit: Low rounded form is dense with small fine leaves
• Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
• Flower Color/Details: Showy, bright white, open flowers with a starburst of stamens, ¾ inch diameter, sweetly fragrant
• Flower Season: Late spring, summer
• Bark: N/A
• Fruit: Blue-black berries, ½ inch late summer, fall
• Foliage: Dark green shiny, aromatic leaves
• Use: Foundational evergreen shrub, low hedge or border, formal gardens
• Floral: Filler in cut flower arrangements
• Wildlife/Beneficials: Attracts butterflies, birds, bees, native pollinators
• Deer Resistant: Yes
• Fire Resistant: Yes
• Medicinal Uses/Edible: Unknown
• Adverse Factors: Berries may stain hardscape, prone to disease in poorly drained soils
• Soil: Adaptable, if well-drained
• Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Requirements: Low, drought tolerant
• WUCOLS Water Needs: L L L M M M
• UC Davis Arboretum All-Star: No
• Description: Tough evergreen shrub for smaller spaces, 'Compacta' has a smaller leaf and is lower, more compact than species. Often referred to as Dwarf Sweet Myrtle.
• Maintenance: Fertilize once annually, as plants break winter dormancy, with balanced food. Selective pruning the first two years will create a pleasing shape for the life of the shrub. When mature, prune once annually after berries have dropped.