Other Names:  Dwarf Peppermint Tree

Description:

A vigorous, compact selection, with bronzy-red emerging leaves that mature to bright green; white flowers with burgundy centers that appear in spring; makes a wonderful accent, screen, or container subject

Ornamental Features

Dwarf Willow Myrtle (standard) is bathed in stunning clusters of white flowers with pink centers at the ends of the branches from mid spring to mid summer. It has attractive green evergreen foliage which emerges brick red in spring. The fragrant narrow leaves are highly ornamental and remain green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Dwarf Willow Myrtle (standard) is a dense evergreen dwarf tree with a strong central leader and a rounded form and gracefully weeping branches. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance dwarf tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Dwarf Willow Myrtle (standard) is ideal for use as a garden accent or patio feature, and is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Dwarf Willow Myrtle (standard) will grow to be about 8 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This dwarf tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Dwarf Willow Myrtle (standard) is a fine choice for the yard, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.