Osmanthus yunnanensis
Yunnan osmanthus
A large shrub or small, spreading tree. The dark, olive-green leaves up to 20cm long vary in shape, often on the same plant, from smooth and flat to wavy with spiny-toothed edges. Small, creamy-white, highly fragrant flowers appear in late winter to early spring clustered at the base of the leaves. These are followed by egg-shaped fruit, dark purple with a white bloom
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Cream | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Purple | ||
| Autumn | Green | Purple | ||
| Winter | Cream | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Osmanthus can be evergreen shrubs or small trees with leathery, opposite leaves and small, usually fragrant, tubular white, yellow or orange flowers with 4 lobes, followed by ovoid blue-black fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Tibet, China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, with shelter from cold, drying winds
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe, or root semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat, or layer in autumn or spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
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