Dwarf Myrtle (Myrtus communis ‘Compacta’) F,M,U ^*

        can prune back hard in February, but don’t do every year; heavy pruning may cause some “brown back”; in spring when tree is actively growing, clip all the leaves off short, then it will send out many side branches; clipping the leaves allows the sun to hit the dormant buds and stimulate growth; do not bare-root; some specimens may be frost-sensitive; fast grower; buds back readily on older wood; try not to remove too much rootage or take off too much of rootball at once, best to do so in early summer.    [Myrtaceae; Myrtales]