Western Tea Myrtle

Evergreen shrub or small tree. It grows to 20 feet or more and has thick, spongy, peeling bark, thick, round, gray-green leaves and clusters of showy lavender, rose-pink, or mauve flowers. Useful in seaside and desert gardens. Tough and tolerant, it thrives despite sea spray, poor, rocky soil, abundant moisture or very little moisture, and desert heat.  Photos by Laurel Woodley