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Osmanthus fragrans (Fragrant olive)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
10m
Max height
Max height
10m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Osmanthus fragrans
Other names
Fragrant olive, Sweet tea, Sweet olive, Kwei
Genus
Osmanthus Osmanthus
Species
O. fragrans - O. fragrans is a vigorous, upright, borderline hardy, evergreen shrub or small tree with ovate to oblong, leathery, glossy, sometimes finely-toothed, dark green leaves and clusters of small, tubular, strongly fragrant, white flowers in autumn with sporadic bloom throughout the year. Flowers are followed by oval, blue-black fruit.
Osmanthus fragrans is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers have an apricot scent.
Habit
Upright
Flower
White in All seasons
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 fragrans (Fragrant olive) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 10m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Banks and Slopes, Conservatory, Containers, Greenhouse, Hedging/Screens, Indoor, Low Maintenance, Specimen tree, Wallside and trellises
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), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Osmanthus fragrans
Other names
Fragrant olive, Sweet tea, Sweet olive, Kwei
Genus
Osmanthus Osmanthus
Species
O. fragrans - O. fragrans is a vigorous, upright, borderline hardy, evergreen shrub or small tree with ovate to oblong, leathery, glossy, sometimes finely-toothed, dark green leaves and clusters of small, tubular, strongly fragrant, white flowers in autumn with sporadic bloom throughout the year. Flowers are followed by oval, blue-black fruit.
Native to
China, Himalayas, Japan
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers have an apricot scent.
Habit
Upright
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Colour
Flower
White in All seasons
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 fragrans (Fragrant olive) will reach a height of 10m and a spread of 10m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Banks and Slopes, Conservatory, Containers, Greenhouse, Hedging/Screens, Indoor, Low Maintenance, Specimen tree, Wallside and trellises
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), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
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), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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