Eugenia myrtifolia Compacta

Eugenia myrtifolia 'Compacta' is an ornamental bush suited to very mild climates. Its upright and bushy habit as well as its dense and evergreen foliage make it an ideal hedge plant in the mildest areas. The reddish young shoots are particularly highlighted by the mature, beautiful shiny dark green vegetation. In summer, the bush produces pleasant white flowers which turn into bright pink fruits in autumn, both ornamental and edible, to be enjoyed raw or in jams. In colder climates, this bush can be grown in a large container to be overwintered in a bright, frost-free room.

The Eugenia belongs to the Myrtaceae family, rich in about 3000 species of trees and bushes, mainly in subtropical to tropical zones, and to some extent in temperate climates. Several dozen genera make it up, the most well-known being Eucalyptus and the Common Myrtle. There are between 600 and 1000 species of Eugenia, some of which have been reclassified into close genera: Syzygium, Murtus, Jambosa, Acmena... Dedicated to Prince Eugène de Savoie (1663-1736), the genus is scattered in the warm regions of the globe, mainly the Americas, and to a lesser extent, Africa, Asia, Pacific islands, Australia...
Eugenia myrtifolia is native to Queensland and New South Wales, two provinces in eastern Australia, with a tropical and subtropical climate for the former, and a more temperate one for the latter. It grows in damp forests, forming a tree up to 30 m high in its natural environment and half that size in cultivation. Its lanceolate leaves are quite small (4 to 8 cm long), and shiny dark green. It is appreciated as an ornamental tree or hedge bush thanks to cultivars more compact than the typical species, and its tangy fruits are consumed raw, or in jellies and jams.
The horticultural variety 'Compacta' shows, as its name suggests, a significantly smaller development, as the bush only reaches 3 to 4 m in height and 1.50 to 2 m in width. Its growth is also slower than that of the botanical species, which is an advantage when planted as a hedge. It has an upright habit and dense branching, giving it a very dense appearance. The mature, beautiful shiny dark green foliage, serves as a backdrop to the young shoots that emerge in spring in reddish tones, as well as during the season if the plant is pruned. The leathery leaves are lanceolate to elliptical and measure about 4 cm long by 2 cm wide. Very numerous, they create an opaque vegetal screen if the Eugenia is used in a hedge. In the summer, small cream-white flowers appear, 1 cm or more in diameter, with a cluster of protruding stamens, as seen in other Myrtaceae such as Feijoa. Grouped in clusters, they develop in the axils of the leaves. Despite their small size, they are clearly visible on the dark vegetation, enhancing the ornamental interest of this plant. They are nectar-rich so appreciated by bees, thus promoting biodiversity in the garden. As the bush is self-fertile, the flowers self-pollinate and produce bright pink fruits in autumn, sometimes tending towards a shiny red. Truly decorative, they can also be consumed raw to enjoy their tangy flavour or transformed into jam.

The Australian Myrtle Compacta is a very beautiful bush, attractive in every season, which will find a place in gardens in the mildest coastal areas, as it only tolerates brief frosts down to -5°C. It will not thrive in too dry areas of the Mediterranean coast. Pair it in a hedge with Griselinia littoralis 'Green Jewel' with similarly evergreen foliage of emerald green edged with cream yellow to create a beautiful colour combination. A few plants of Photinia fraseri 'Pink Marble' will bring touches of pink and cream variegation. If planted in a flower bed, plant alongside it a Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Purpureum' with small leaves of an almost black purple creating a strong contrast. A Eucalyptus 'Baby Blue' will complete the scene with its particularly blue foliage.