Family: Oleaceae
synonyms: aquifolius Osmanthus, Osmanthus ilicifolius
common name: Osmanthus
ETYMOLOGY: The genus name is a combination of two Greek words osmé (smell) and Anthos (flower), for the delicious fragrance emanating flowers of plants belonging to this genus. The specific attribute Latin heterophyllus (different leaves) indicates the great variability of leaf shape in this species.
is a shrub or small evergreen tree, dense and compact, up to 5 meters high, native to eastern and southern Japan. He likes to slow growth and a neutral or slightly acid soils, although clay. It can be either in full sun in the shade, in well-ventilated place climates and is suitable for relatively rigid, but suffering from prolonged frosts. In the event of particularly cold climate, we recommend to growing in pots, to move in a sheltered position during the hard months. in the ground is ideal for hedges not too intrusive, although over time it tends to become quite large and pruning significantly reduce the production flowers. If you want to enjoy the flavor is more advisable to let it grow freely in mixed hedges or grow it as an isolated specimen close to living areas.
leaves are opposite, 3-7 cm large, glossy and deep green above, lighter below. They may have a form very variable: some resemble those dell'Agrifoglio, lobed and sharp teeth, while others, still on the same plant are ovate and have a single plug at the apex.
flowers, white and fragrant, appear in the September-October and tubules, with a 4-lobed corolla, about half a centimeter large, gathered in clusters at the leaf axil. The adult plants producing olive-like drupe dark purple, 1.5 cm long and one centimeter wide, which ripen the following summer, about nine months after flowering.
recommended varieties: Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Tricolor Goshiki'
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