Polygala myrtifolia

Evergreen shrub of the Polygalaceae family, native to South Africa, naturalized and widely cultivated in the Mediterranean regions of Europe, notably on the French coast, in Italy, Spain, and the Canary Islands. In its native range, it frequents coastal thickets, edges, and open shrub areas. In Europe, it is found planted in Mediterranean gardens and sometimes subspontaneous in the garrigue and maquis.

It is a bushy shrub, branched from the base, reaching 1 to 2 meters in height under favorable conditions, but often kept more compact in cultivation. The leaves are evergreen, oval to obovate, with a glaucous green to gray-green color, vaguely reminiscent of myrtle leaves — hence the name myrtifolia. The foliage has a slightly matte texture and a bluish hue that immediately distinguishes it.

The flowers are large for the genus, pink-purple to bright magenta, with the keel having well-developed white fringes. They are borne in terminal clusters and produced over a very long period.

In its natural habitat, its flowering extends over a large part of the year. In cultivation under Mediterranean or mild Atlantic climates, it can flower almost continuously from March to November, with a spring peak.

It requires a sunny exposure, well-drained soil, and does not tolerate prolonged frosts below about -4°C. It is suitable for dry Mediterranean gardens and large rockeries in regions with mild winters.