About
Amomyrtus meli is an evergreen tree or upright shrub that typically grows to around 4 meters (13 feet) in cultivated settings, but can reach up to 20 meters (65 feet) in its natural habitat. The bark is smooth and ranges in color from whitish to light reddish-brown. The leaves are leathery, dark green, and oval-shaped, emitting a strong fragrance. In late summer, this plant produces an abundance of cream-colored flowers.
About the genus
Amomyrtus consists of evergreen shrubs or minor trees characterized by their aromatic foliage and small, fragrant flowers that are bowl-shaped with five petals, blooming in the spring.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Chalk
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Trees, Shrubs
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural
- Native to
- Chile
- Fragrance
- Foliage
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a moderately fertile, consistently moist but well drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position. Protect from cold, drying winds
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by sowing pre-soaked seed in containers in a cold frame in spring. Root semi-ripe cuttings with gentle bottom heat in late summer.
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free