The myrtle is a small evergreen tree or shrub which is native to the Mediterranean and northern Africa and has been used as a house plant since ancient times.You will find myrtle plants in many nurseries and flower shops. The ancient Greeks and Romans associated this plant with love and virginity and for this reason myrtle twigs with the delicate white flowers are often used for wedding bouquets and bridal wreaths. The leaves are small, lanceolate and dark green. The small white fragrant flowers appear in late summer, followed by pea sized bluish black fruit which contain up to 30 seeds. The fruit are edible and can be used for making liqueur. Myrtles like warmth and need a long warm summer to produce flowers. The trunk thickens slowly and has a cinnamon colored bark that becomes lightly furrowed with age. The myrtle's rootball needs to be kept constantly moist (but not soaking!) and the plant does not tolerate frost. The common myrtle is suited for many bonsai styles, especially for the broom-style.
