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skill rating
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Osmanthus decorus (Sweet olive)
1 hour care
per year
per year
3m
Max height
Max height
5m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Osmanthus decorus
Other names
Phillyrea vilmoriniana, Phillyrea decora, Sweet olive
Genus
Osmanthus Osmanthus
Species
O. decorus - O. decorus is a dense, rounded to spreading, evergreen shrub with oblong to narrowly oval, pointed, leathery, glossy, dark green leaves and dense clusters of tubular, white flowers in mid-spring followed by blue-black fruit.
Osmanthus decorus is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers have an apricot scent.
Habit
Upright
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 8. Tolerates hard pruning.
Propagation methods
Layering, Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings
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Where to grow
Osmanthus decorus (Sweet olive) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 5m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or part shade in shelter. Tolerates heavy clay. Drought tolerant once established. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light, shaded from hot sun. In growth, water freely & feed monthly.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Osmanthus decorus
Other names
Phillyrea vilmoriniana, Phillyrea decora, Sweet olive
Genus
Osmanthus Osmanthus
Species
O. decorus - O. decorus is a dense, rounded to spreading, evergreen shrub with oblong to narrowly oval, pointed, leathery, glossy, dark green leaves and dense clusters of tubular, white flowers in mid-spring followed by blue-black fruit.
Native to
Western Asia
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers have an apricot scent.
Habit
Upright
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Colour
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 8. Tolerates hard pruning.
Propagation methods
Layering, Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Osmanthus decorus (Sweet olive) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 5m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or part shade in shelter. Tolerates heavy clay. Drought tolerant once established. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light, shaded from hot sun. In growth, water freely & feed monthly.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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