Osmanthus fragrans

• BOTANICAL NAME: Osmanthus fragrans
• PRONUNCIATION: oz-MAN-thus FRAY-grans
• COMMON NAME: Fragrant Tea Olive
• FAMILY: Oleaceae
• NATIVITY: China
• GROWTH HABIT: Large rounded shrub.
• SIZE: 20 - 30' but usually does not reach this size due to lack of hardiness.
• HARDINESS: Zone 8 - 9, least hardy of the commonly grown osmanthus.
• CULTURE: Sun to partial shade and moist soil.
• LANDSCAPE USE: Large shrub useful for the evergreen foliage and fragrant flowers. Probably best used as a containerized plant in the conservatory or outdoors in spring through fall.
• FOLIAGE: Opposite, oblong to lanceolate with few small or no serrations.
  Leaves are 2 - 4" long.
• BUDS:
• BARK: Gray.
• FLOWERS: Small white flowers in late April. Possibly the most fragrant of all
  the osmanthus. Unusual in that the plants flower in the spring.
• FRUIT: Bluish black drupe.
• PROPAGATION: Seed, cuttings.
• PESTS: None serious.
• CULTIVARS:
  • O. fragrans var. aurantiacus - pale orange flowers that are rather attractive.