Osmanthus americana
| Osmanthus americana | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 49' |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Osmanthus americana
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a coldframe[1]. Stored seed probably germinates best if it is given 3 months warm then 3 months cold stratification before sowing[2]. 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[3].
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[4].
Layering in spring[1] or autumn[4]. Partially sever the layer leads in the following late summer and plant out in the autumn. High percentage[4].
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy outdoors in Britain, though judging by its native range it is likely to be succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Prefers a good loamy soil[5], but succeeds in most soils in sun or part shade[3][6].
Plants are very tolerant of being transplanted, moving well even when quite large[7].
The flowers are deliciously scented[7]. If plants are clipped after flowering they will flower more freely each year[1].
Range: Eastern N. America - Florida to Louisiana, north to Virginia.
Habitat: Rich woods, swamps and bluffs[8].
Edibility: Fruit[9][10]. This needs further verification[K].
Usage: Wood - heavy, very hard, strong, durable, difficult to work[11][12].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.