Osmanthus decorus
| Osmanthus decorus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 10' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Osmanthus decorus
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[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: Easily grown in any well-drained soil in sun or part shade, but flowering more freely when in a sunny position[3][5]. Prefers a neutral to acid soil but tolerates some chalk[1]. Succeeds in dry shade[6]. Dislikes an unduly exposed position but tolerates more wind than other members of this genus[1].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[7].
A very ornamental plant[8], its fruits are produced freely in British gardens[K].
The flowers are fragrant[7].
Range: W. Asia - N.E. Turkey to Georgia.
Habitat: Mixed deciduous or mixed Fagus - Picea forests and the sides of gorges, 1000 - 1600 metres in Turkey[9][7].
Usage: Can be grown as a tall hedge, it is quite amenable to trimming[10].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Phillyrea decora. P. laurifolia. P. vilmoriniana.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Davis, Peter. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press, 1965.
- ↑ Shepherd, F. W.. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society, 1974.