Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Purple Shaft'
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
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green Purple | ||
| Autumn | White | Green Purple | Black Blue | |
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
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