Do you know what this shrug is.

mylongfellow1

i have 2 standard shrubs which have just started flowering. They have slightly glossy leaves which which have a citrus smell. 

Borderline

That looks like a Myrtle. Myrtus Communis.

mylongfellow1

Thanks borderline. I’ve been looking for ages trying to find out what they are. I will read up on them now.

Paul N

In the rear gardens of Westminster Abbey lies a myrtle grown from Queen Victoria's wedding posy.

Lizzie27

That looks nothing like my myrtle, is there a paler variegated version?

Borderline

Yes, there are variegated versions.

mylongfellow1

Definitely a myrtle. Have viewed myrtle online and 1 variety is exactly the same. Strange why it is just flowering now, probably the unusually warm weather. 

madpenguin

Paul N said:

In the rear gardens of Westminster Abbey lies a myrtle grown from Queen Victoria's wedding posy.

Also one here on the Island at Osborne House.
Sprigs are used in most Royal Wedding bouquets.

Novice23

I have similar myrtle, which has reached the proportions of a small tree.  I have started to prune it back quite hard after flowering  to try to get it under control.  Is this the best time, usually in August?  I am terrified that if I prune it in the spring I will end up with a huge tree. 

Borderline

Don't worry about pruning an evergreen plant when it is overgrown. You did what you needed to do. As long as you leave any further pruning till next year in early spring. The shrub will be fine. You may lose some of the flowers, but I think Myrtles are valued for their leaves and form over flowers, since they are unreliable with flowering unless the summer has been exceptionally hot for long periods.