Herb Of The Week - Myrtle - The amazing story of Myrtle.

[Guest guest]

A very nice article about Myrtle from the folks at The Lowland Herb Farm

... if you're in BC, check them out in at the Farmer's Markets ...

http://www.eatlocal.org/

http://www.eatlocal.org/farm%20vendors/lowland_herb.html

<http://www.eatlocal.org/>

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

All In Stock Perfume Bottles and Aroma Pendants

On Sale Through Earth Day(Or While Supplies Last)

<http://www.alittleolfactory.com/> http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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http://www.lowlandherbfarm.com/blog/index.php?p=8

 

 

Myrtle <http://www.lowlandherbfarm.com/blog/index.php?p=8>

 

 

The amazing story of Myrtle.

 

 

 

The handsome evergreen Myrtle (Myrtus communis) travels through

antiquity to the future as a star in the fragrant garden. In comparison

to other herbs Myrtle can be kept in prime condition as a houseplant

throughout the winter. In Fall, Spring and Summer this compact shrub

serves as a beautiful accent specimen on a patio, a doorway grouping or

gracing a window in your home.

 

This " Living Tree " blends the Legends and Myths of Europe with the

environmental necessities of today. As a special shrub it will " enliven "

all Holidays. At Christmas a medium sized Myrtle is particularly

charming with tiny decorations. Your imagination will be sparked into

diverse and delightful uses for this, " Living Legend " .

 

Myrtle was formerly used in perfumery, leather tanning, medicine and

occasionally as a spice and of course in gardens both formal and

informal. As a hardwood, it is still used for carvings and bowls and

plates in parts of the world where the tree grows natively.

 

Current uses are sentimental and decorative. Myrtle enriches festivities

for the household over the seasons and years. Sprigs, plants, tiny

wreathes or bouquets when given as gifts or as decorations on gifts can

symbolize love. The Greeks and Romans added it to their laurel wreaths

for poets, priests and distinguished citizens. In the Holy Lands'

history it was used at a feast with other greens as a symbol of the

highest good. Myrtle is frequently mentioned in the Bible signifying

peace and joy. The long association with weddings alludes to Myrtle as

an emblem of love. In classic days, myrtle was sacred to Venus. From

Sweden's wedding crowns to England's wedding customs. This symbol of

love persists over the centuries with England's royalty still using

Myrtle sprigs in their wedding bouquets.

 

Also a Myrtle plant can be turned into a bonsai or topiary. The thick

lush growth that forms as a response to pruning and the naturally

compact habit of growth suggests ease in shaping. When the desired

height is attained the terminal buds can be pinched to force branching

etc. Do pay attention to the basic framework at first. Soon you will be

pruning a few times a year. Of course, the fragrant prunings can be

used. They dry with good scent retention and colour for potpourri uses.

 

Culture. Myrtle is and undemanding plant if you attend to a few rules.

To flourish Myrtle needs ample water supply and as a potted plant even

an approach to dryness will cause leaf drop, and a few days drought will

be disastrous. Constant vigilance in regard to watering is not an

exaggeration. However, I have had good results using deep saucers under

the plants for extra water. Avoid direct sunlight, dry winds and protect

from frost.

 

In mid-summer the sweet smelling flowers appear; five small rounded

petals of purest white holding at their centre a hemisphere of dainty

white stamens each tipped with just the tiniest speck of yellow pollen.

They appear singly and at random among the leaves. The fragile beauty of

those blossoms sprinkled like stardust over the handsome leaves earn

myrtle a place of honour.

 

Lowland Herb Farm, Sardis, BC Tel: 604.858.4216

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

About common names...

I have vinca vines covering a lot of my property, love it as groundcover

A friend came by and I offered her some starts, and she called it '

Myrtle'..

Googling for myrtle and vinca on images brought up many different

pictures and species..

C-M