Best tree for indoor? Best Tree for Beginners? Here's my vote

An old collected trunk adds an ancient appearance to this Myrtle
bonsai. All the branches are new, developed during bonsai
training. The foliage masses are coming along well.

A plant with a long history in cultivation, the Myrtle has much to recommend it as a bonsai subject. Hardy, readily available, forgiving of imperfect care, and adaptable to most all styles of bonsai, it seems unfairly ignored. As one German website charmingly renders it into translated English: "As Bonsai it to see is rare and it is hardly offered in the specialized trade. This is somewhat incomprehensible, since it is by its small (leaves) and beautiful blooms an attractive plant for the organization as Bonsai". Once when I brought a Myrtle to enter in the club show, and experience bonsai grower didn't recognize the species and asked if it was Kyoto Serissa.

Image from www.myrtus-communis.de

Native Habitat: Originating in the Mediterranean and Near East, the plant's long association with humans shows in its multiple common names: Greek myrtle, sweet myrtle, foxtail myrtle and many more. It has been used as a curative and restorative in herbal medicines, and also in tanning leather, imparting a lovely warm brown sheen and distinctive aroma. The environment is sunny ,tends to the dry side and the soil is not rich. All these factors helped a tough, adaptable plant evolve. It is grown both as a pot plant and in the ground. Where the climate is favorable-zones 7,8 and 9 in this country-it can grow to a height of about 10 feet or more and tends to be rather shrubby.

Growth Habits and Appearance. New shoots are a light green that matures into a deeper, emerald green color. Leaves are lanceolate( botanist talk for lance-shaped) and opposite. New shoots lignify fairly quickly and are brittle. Bark is a tan color and slightly shaggy. The plant blossoms fairly easily when allowed to grow freely, producing small white flowers that are very fuzzy, looking almost like tassels. Bonsai trimming usually limits the amount of flowering.

There are many named cultivars available, including variegated forms, but the type most often seen in the trade is a dwarf or compact form.

A large collected Myrtle, originally used as
a specimen plant in a public garden. Cut back'
very hard, the plant is budding back on old
wood along its entire length-plenty
of design options,be sure to remove
unwanted buds quickly to avoid
unsightly knobs developing.

When growing the plant prefers as much sunshine as possible. Large bonsai and plants in training pots can certainly tolerate and even enjoy all day sun, smaller trees will benefit from some noon time shade simply to keep them from drying out. Use a standard bonsai growing medium for tropical plants, being sure that it will drain well. Keep the soil moist but don't allow to sit in water. Myrtle can take a dry living condition and I have had plants that were wilted from a missed watering come right back with no ill effects. Fertilize lightly during the growing season outdoors. Myrtle is not winter hardy, and leaves will turn bronze color in light frosts. Bring it indoors when night time temperatures fall below 45 degrees. It is a good candidate for indoor culture because it comes from a dry environment.

Bonsai Culture: The small leaves and hardy nature of the plant make it an excellent choice for bonsai of all sizes and styles. It would likely not make a convincing broom of literati, but would be suited for most any other style. When seeking out this plant be sure you are getting Myrtus communis-many plants are referred to as "myrtle" but not all are as suitable for bonsai culture as this one is! Most garden centers and general market nurseries carry young stock that will need to grow a season or two to have a worthwhile trunk. This is easily accomplished with some with some thoughtful pruning. Just clip the terminal leader short and trim off extra branches to concentrate vigor in a few well chosen shoots. Shoppers at specialized nurseries may be lucky enough to find larger specimens available. The price difference between general market plant stock and items specifically identified as bonsai can be remarkable, so the low price may be a surprise. Myrtle is one of those plants to keep an eye out for if you happen to be traveling in the South. It is used as hedging and topiary subject in Southern California, South West and in Florida. In these areas sizable plants may be found.

Myrtle responds well to regular clipping by forming nice tight foliage pads
Image from www.myrtus-communis.de

Nice looking mame or shohin can be created in a short span of time. Growing a larger tree may take some time but can be worth the effort since the bark will take on a rough and shaggy look.  It is possible to style simply with a grow and clip approach, though careful wiring of young wood is easy to accomplish. Old wood is brittle.