Burkwood osmanthus

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is useful in hot climates. Flowering is lighter in deep shade.

Water

Water regularly while establishing; once established, water during prolonged dry spells. Avoid persistently wet soil.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil, from slightly acidic to alkaline; tolerates clay if drainage is good.

Height

8-12 ft (2.4-3.7 m)

Spread

8-12 ft (2.4-3.7 m)

Flowers

Small white flowers in clusters in early to mid-spring, with a strong, sweet fragrance.

Foliage

Evergreen. Small, leathery, dark green, glossy leaves with finely toothed or nearly smooth margins.

Growth

Slow to moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   2.9 ft (0.89 m)

3. After 2 years

   4 ft (1.3 m)

4. After 3 years

   6 ft (1.7 m)

5. After 5 years

   8 ft (2.5 m)

About 7 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Slow

• Plant with the root flare at soil level, in a position sheltered from cold, drying winds.
• Water deeply during dry weather for the first two growing seasons.
• Apply a 2-3 in (5-7.5 cm) layer of organic mulch in spring, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed lightly in spring with a balanced shrub fertiliser only if growth is weak or the soil is poor.
• Water established plants during prolonged drought, especially when growing beside walls or under trees.

Pruning. Prune just after flowering in spring, shortening wayward shoots and removing dead or damaged branches. Trim hedges then rather than in late summer or winter, which can remove the following spring's flowers.

Spring

Plant once the soil is workable, especially in colder areas, and water thoroughly.

Early spring

Refresh the mulch and feed lightly if needed.

Late spring

After flowering, shape the shrub or trim hedges.

Summer

Water young plants during dry spells and check stems and leaf undersides for scale insects.

Autumn

Plant in mild regions while the soil is still warm and moist.

Winter

Protect recently planted shrubs from drying winds and brush heavy snow gently from branches.

• Grow as a clipped evergreen hedge to divide garden spaces without a large seasonal change in appearance.
• Place near a doorway, terrace or well-used path so the spring fragrance can be enjoyed.
• Use behind hellebores, ferns and spring bulbs for a dark, permanent backdrop.
• Plant as an informal screen along a sheltered boundary, allowing enough room for its broad mature shape.

Garden styles it suits: Traditional, English country, Formal, Woodland, Sensory garden and Low-maintenance.

Plant it with: Hellebores, Japanese forest grass, Japanese painted fern, Snowdrops, Daffodils and Camellias.

Wildlife: The spring flowers provide nectar and pollen for visiting bees and other insects. Dense evergreen growth offers shelter for small birds.

• Scale insects can cause sticky honeydew and sooty mould. Remove small infestations by hand or use a horticultural oil labelled for evergreen shrubs, following local label directions.
• Leaf spots may develop in damp, crowded conditions. Remove badly affected fallen leaves, improve airflow and water at soil level.
• Root rot can cause yellowing, wilting and dieback in waterlogged soil. Correct drainage and avoid frequent watering; replace badly affected plants in a better-drained position.
• Cold, drying winds can scorch leaves, particularly on young shrubs. Choose a sheltered site, mulch the roots and keep the soil moist during dry winter weather.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. Specific safety information for this hybrid is limited; do not treat its leaves, flowers or any fruit as food.

• Delavay osmanthus (Osmanthus delavayi)

  One of its parents; usually has noticeably smaller leaves and a looser, more arching habit.

• Holly osmanthus (Osmanthus heterophyllus)

  Young growth commonly has sharply spined, holly-like leaves, and its fragrant flowers appear in autumn rather than spring.

• Sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans)

  Has larger, longer leaves and usually flowers in late summer or autumn; flowers may be white, cream, yellow or orange.

Osmanthus comes from Greek words meaning 'fragrant flower', while burkwoodii honours the Burkwood nursery family associated with raising the hybrid.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer and root them in a free-draining propagation mix under humid conditions. Rooting can be slow; layering low branches is another option.

Accepted botanical name

Osmanthus burkwoodii

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.