Practical
Plants

Osmanthus delavayi

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Osmanthus genus in the family Oleaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Oleaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
3.5 m
Spread
3.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Can be grown as a tall hedge, it is quite amenable to trimming[9].

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - W. China in Yunnan.
Habitat
Dry hillsides, in scrub and forest, often on limestone[5]. Montane regions, ravines, thickets and mixed woods at elevations of 2100 - 3400 metres[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a coldframe[6]. Stored seed probably germinates best if it is given 3 months warm then 3 months cold stratification before sowing[3]. The seed usually takes 6 - 18 months to germinate, it should be pricked out into individual pots when it is large enough to handle. Grow the plants on for their first winter in the greenhouse and plant them out in early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood taken at the end of July, in a frame with bottom heat[2]. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 7 - 12cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. A good percentage. Plant out in the spring 18 months later[10]. Layering in spring[6] or autumn[10]. Partially sever the layer leads in the following late summer and plant out in the autumn. High percentage[10].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in any well-drained soil in sun or part shade[5], but flowering more freely in a sunny position[4]. Thrives in chalky conditions[6]. Dislikes unduly exposed positions[2] and requires shelter from freezing winds[6]. Hardy to about -15°c[5]. A very ornamental plant[1], the flowers are sweetly scented[4]. It is fairly slow-growing[7]. One report says that fruits are only occasionally produced in Britain[4] whilst another says that plants self-sow in Cornwall[2]. Plants are very amenable to pruning and can be kept quite small by cutting them back after flowering.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  4. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  8. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  9. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩

  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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