Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Purple Shaft'

Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs

An upright evergreen shrub to 3m tall, with holly-like, glossy, dark purple leaves that age to dark green with a purple tinge as the season progresses, and bearing clusters of small, fragrant white flowers in late summer or autumn, sometimes followed by blue-black fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Oleaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained or moist but well-drained soils in sun or shade; good for woodland gardens

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 9

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus