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Shrubs

Osmanthus fragrans

fragrant olive

A vigorous, upright, evergreen shrub or small tree to 5m tall, with glossy, leathery, finely toothed dark green leaves. Small clusters of highly fragrant, tubular white flowers are produced in autumn, and sometimes in spring and summer; they are followed by ovoid, blue-black fruit to 1cm long. Grow against a warm wall in mild districts; elsewhere it is best grown in a temperate greenhouse

Other common names

kwei
sweet olive
see moresweet tea

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Plant nurseries
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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Oleaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: 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: Himalayas, China

How to grow

Cultivation

Outdoors, grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, with protection from cold, drying winds; against a south- or west-facing wall is ideal. Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light with shade from hot sun. When in growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed as soon as ripe. Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat. Layer in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Climber and wall shrubs
Conservatory and greenhouse
Wall side borders

Pruning

See pruning group 9

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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