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Wakefield Museums and Castles
Pontefract Castle
Medieval herb garden blog 59: Myrtle
Wednesday, February 25, 2026Week 59 volunteer update
We could actually get some work done this week!
Later than we would have liked, we lifted and dived some of the rhubarb. These plants will be left to settle for a couple of weeks. They will then be put on sale.
Potted rhubarb being prepared for sale at Pontefract Castle
Carole had some good chats this week. There was a couple from Stoke-on-Trent, and a couple who had stopped off on their journey to Newcastle.
Carole continued to cut back the winter savory, catmint, calamint and variegated mugwort. She also noted the increasing number of yellow and purple crocuses appearing in the Medieval Herb Garden. Love those squirrels!
Plant of the week: Myrtle (myrtus communis)
The common name of myrtle possibly came from the Ancient Greek 'myrtos'. This is believed to share a common root with the word 'myrrh'. Myrrh is associated with 'bitter' or 'scented essence'. This was then changed in Latin (myrtus), and in Old French (myrte). It ended up in English as 'myrtle'.
The Latin 'communis' means 'common', 'public', 'shared by all or many', or 'of / for the community'.
Myrtle comes from the Mediterranean. It is an upright, bushy, evergreen shrub. It loves full sun, so requires either a south or west-facing position.
Myrtle grows in any moist but well-drained soil that isn’t clay based. It grows to a height of 10 ft (3 metres) with a spread of 8 ft (2.4 metres). Myrtle can be trimmed easily, and is often used as hedging.
It has small, aromatic, glossy, dark green leaves. The leaves are 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 - 4 cm) long.
Myrtle in flower in the Medieval Herb Garden
Myrtle flowers during summer to late autumn. It requires a long, hot summer to produce its flowers. They are white with five petals. The flowers have sepals up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, with central tufts of white stamens.
Myrtle flowers are similar in appearance to St John’s Wort flowers but in a pure white. In the autumn myrtle produces small, oval, purplish-black berries.
The plant’s fragrance is often described as “a complex, multifaceted blend of sweet, herbaceous, and woody notes”.
Culinary uses of myrtle
Myrtle leaves have a strong smell. They have a warm, spicy, slightly bitter and balsamic flavour. They are often used to flavour meat and fish dishes. Like bay leaves, they are removed before serving.
The berries have a unique, complex flavour. It is described as “a mix of sweet, peppery, and aromatic, with notes of juniper, rosemary, and eucalyptus”. Myrtle berries can be used as a pepper substitute. They contribute to the distinctive flavour of some versions of Italian Mortadella sausage and the American Bologna sausage. They are also used in the famous Sardinian Mirto liqueur.
Fresh myrtle leaves can be used in teas or to infuse oils. Dried and powdered leaves are used in 'rubs'.
Myrtle berries growing in the Medieval Herb Garden
Use of myrtle as a dye plant
Myrtle berries were used to dye hair black in the past.
Myrtle leaves and fruit extracts can create shades of yellow and taupe. They can make darker colours when combined with mordants like alum or copper.
Folklore and other facts about myrtle
In British folklore, myrtle is associated with love, beauty, fidelity, and marital happiness. It is often used in wedding bouquets to symbolize a lasting, prosperous marriage.
Many ancient gold myrtle wreaths have been found in Greece. Historically, laurel wreaths were awarded for victory in battle. Myrtle wreaths were presented for victory in a bloodless contest, such as poetry or athletic competitions.
In Afghan and Iranian traditions, myrtle leaves are used to avoid 'evil eyes'.
In Virgil's Aeneid, myrtle marks the grave of the murdered Polydorus in Thrace. Aeneas' attempts to uproot the shrub causes the ground to bleed. The spears which had impaled Polydorus had been magically transformed into the myrtle which marked his grave.
In neo-pagan and Wiccan rituals, myrtle is often associated with Beltane.
It is believed that having myrtle in the home brings good luck, energy and positivity.
In the 1500s, myrtle leaves and flowers were used to create a popular skin lotion. It was known as 'angels' water'.
Medieval medicinal uses of myrtle*
Pliny, Dioscorides, Galen, and the Arabian writers all mention myrtle. Celsus suggested that 'soda in vinegar, or ladanum in myrtle oil and wine' could be used to treat various scalp conditions.
Myrtle was traditionally used for sinus infections in Europe and China. In traditional Persian medicine myrtle leaves were used to stop bleeding.
Myrtle was also used to cleanse and purify the skin. It was used to treat acne, ulcers, burns and wounds.
Dried myrtle leaves were used in tisanes (tea form) in the Mediterranean. This was used to treat urinary and digestive problems.
Extracts were used for stomach aches and peptic ulcers. They helped to reduce mucus in the chest and treat coughs. They could also aid with gynaecological issues.
Myrtle's essential oils were used to reduce the pain, itching and irritation of haemorrhoids.
*As always, this isn't to be considered medical advice today. Please don't use any plants mentioned in these blogs as medicine without advice from a doctor.
Medieval herb garden blogs
Browse all blogs by our dedicated team of volunteer gardeners at Pontefract Castle. Discover a different 'Plant of the Week'.