Osmanthus
Devil's wood, Sweet olive, Chinese holly
- Height × spread
- 2m – 5m × 1m – 4m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are good solid evergreens, the larger forms are often grown as background shrubs. Some varieties have prickled leaves and are often mistaken for holly trees. Osmanthus has leaves that are held in pairs on each side of the stalk. Holly leaves are held alternately on the stalk. Osmanthus have white flowers that are often fragrant and which are highly regarded for their early season fragrance. Osmanthus delavayi, flowering in early spring, can fill a garden with its scent. Osmanthus armatus, Osmanthus x fortunei and Osmanthus heterophyllus are autumn flowering. The other forms are spring flowering. Osmanthus heterophyllus has some interesting variegated leaf forms.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Purple, White, Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Black, Purple, Violet
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Dome, Round
- Height
- 2m – 5m
- Spread
- 1m – 4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Hedge, Structural, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.
Found in
More Osmanthus
Osmanthus delavayi
Delavay tea olive
Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki'
Holly olive, False holly, Holly tea olive
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Burkwood's sweet olive
Osmanthus armatus
Armed devil's wood
Osmanthus decorus
Ornamental tea olive
Osmanthus heterophyllus
Holly olive, False holly, Holly tea olive
Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Aureomarginatus'
Holly olive, False holly, Holly tea olive
Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Gulftide'
Holly olive, False holly, Holly tea olive