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Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus

Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus
Sweet Osmanthus, Fragrant Olive, Tea Olive, Sweet Olive

4,6/5
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Chris, 13/10/2024

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Value-for-money
This Osmanthus is distinguished by its orange flowering, a unique colour among these bushes which usually have white flowers. Its flowers open in very fragrant bunches, from June to October, in successive waves. Of beautiful stature, it has foliage that persists in winter. Its relative hardiness, down to -8°C (17.6 °F) for short periods for an adult subject, reserves it for our mild winter climates. Not very demanding, very ornamental, it thrives in the sun or in partial shade, in any deep and well-drained soil.
Flower size
2 cm
Height at maturity
4.50 m
Spread at maturity
3 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -9°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, September
Recommended planting time February to May, September to October
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Flowering time June to October
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Description

Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus will delight collectors of rare plants. This beautiful form with orange flowers of the fragrant Osmanthus is an evergreen bush of noble stature that blooms from late spring to autumn, in successive waves. Its small yellow-orange flowers emit the same sweet scent as the species with white flowers: it is a floral fragrance with fruity accents highly sought after by perfumiers. With its appearance of a small tree with a wide and rounded crown, its beautiful dark green and shiny foliage, and its wonderful flowering, it lacks neither presence nor charm. In the garden, this bush is not demanding in terms of soil, as long as it is well-drained. Its only drawback is its relative hardiness, which reserves it for cultivation in open ground in regions where the winter is mild.

 

Osmanthus fragrans, also known as Chinese olive, fragrant olive, or tea olive, is a very beautiful bush or small tree native to the high-altitude forests of the warm temperate regions of China, Japan, and Vietnam. It is a species that prefers a rather mild climate: a well-established subject (after 3 or 4 years of cultivation) will be able to survive short frosts of around -8°C (17.6 °F), in healthy soil and sheltered from the wind. Tolerating both slightly acidic and more limestone soils, this Osmanthus adapts well to dry soils in summer, once well established. It belongs to the large and rich family of Oleaceae, which includes, for example, the olive tree, lilacs, and jasmines. The 'aurantiacus' form, a natural mutation of the species, differs only in the orange hue of its flowers.

The growth of this bush is quite slow. It has a dense, spreading habit, often producing several small trunks topped by a wide and dense crown. At maturity, it will reach an average of 4m (13ft 1in) in height and 3m (9ft 10in) in width. Under very favorable conditions, it can exceed 5m (16ft 5in) in height and 4m (13ft 1in) in width. The foliage, evergreen throughout the year, consists of oval, thick, and leathery leaves, measuring up to 14cm (5.5in) in length and 4cm (1.6in) in width, arranged opposite on the branches. The lamina is shiny dark green on the upper side, matte and lighter underneath.

Flowering generally begins in June. If the soil remains somewhat moist in summer, it sporadically renews until October. If the summer is dry, the flowering declines and resumes with the return of rain. Each wave of flowers lasts about 10 days. The flowers appear on the current year's shoots, grouped in small clusters in the axils of the leaves. Each 1cm (0.4in) flower, with a waxy texture, takes the form of a short tube flaring into 4 rounded lobes. The flowers emit a complex fragrance reminiscent of jasmine, but lighter, softened by notes of apricot, apple, clementine, and ripe peach. After pollination by pollinating insects (except bees, which are repelled by the richness of the ethanol-based perfume), they are followed by the formation of oval blue-black fruits, 1.5cm (0.6in) long.

 

Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus deserves a prominent place in a garden with a mild temperate climate. It can be used in shrub borders, as a solitary plant, in a flowering hedge, or even in a very large container. Plant it near a pathway to fully enjoy its fragrance and unique presence. It can be associated with other evergreen shrubs that flower at different times, such as Ceanothus Concha, Elaeagnus, Mahonia, Sarcococca, or Garrya elliptica, in partial shade. In an evergreen hedge, it will complement Viburnum tinus 'Purpureus', Rhamnus alaternus, Prunus lusitanica, Photinias, large privets, oleanders, or bay laurels.

Properties and uses:

Osmanthus flowers are sometimes mixed with tea to flavour it, or with biscuits, and are locally used in the production of a very old traditional Chinese liqueur served in jade cups. Perfumery also uses 'Osmanthus absolute' in the composition of high-end perfumes or cosmetics. 'Osmanthus absolute' also has repellent properties against insects. The bark and roots are part of traditional Asian pharmacopoeia and are used to treat various inflammatory conditions or chronic coughs.

Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus in pictures

Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus (Flowering) Flowering
Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 4.50 m
Spread at maturity 3 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour orange
Flowering time June to October
Inflorescence Corymb
Flower size 2 cm
Fragrance Very fragrant, Complex fragrance of jasmine, with fruity notes of apple, citrus, apricot and peach.
Flowering description The fragrance of flowers, rich in ethanol, repels bees as well as some other pollinating insects.
Fruit colour blue

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Osmanthus

Species

fragrans

Cultivar

var. aurantiacus

Family

Oleaceae

Other common names

Sweet Osmanthus, Fragrant Olive, Tea Olive, Sweet Olive

Origin

China

Product reference8574511

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Planting and care

Place Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus in spring in a borderline hardiness zone or preferably at the end of summer in our dry and warm regions. Install it in full sun or partial shade, avoiding cold winds but providing good ventilation. It is a plant that loves heat and mild winters. Plant it in an ordinary soil that is deep enough, rather light, fertile, but well-draining. If your soil seems too heavy and clayey, incorporate leaf compost and coarse sand or gravel into the planting substrate. The young Osmanthus fragrans is sensitive to cold, so it will be necessary to protect it during the first winters in most of our regions: mulch its stump and cover it with a winter veil if strong frosts are forecasted. Once well established, the bush will withstand brief frosts (such as late at night) of around -10°C (14 °F). After 2 or 3 years of cultivation, if it is regularly watered in summer, it will resist drought quite well if it is planted in deep soil. Prepare a nice planting hole (50cm (19.7 in) in all directions), filled with your well-draining mixture. Give it a generous watering at planting, meaning once or twice a week, to promote establishment. Then continue with normal watering. In case of dry and hot summer, water generously once a week or every 15 days for recently planted subjects. Pruning, if necessary, should be done at the end of winter. 

Planting period

Best planting time March, September
Recommended planting time February to May, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -9°C (USDA zone 8b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained, loose, deep soil.

Care

Pruning instructions Pruning, if necessary, should be done at the end of winter or in spring. Severe pruning is tolerated, but the bush will take two years to flower abundantly again.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March to April
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,6/5
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