Osmanthus delavayi (Delavay Osmanthus) – Fragrant Evergreen Shrub (3L Pot)

A slow growing evergreen that covers its arching branches with sweetly scented white flowers each spring.

The branches arch gracefully and are clothed in small, dark green, glossy, finely toothed leaves, so the plant looks well kept all year even out of flower. Left alone it reaches around 2 to 4m each way, but it prunes back happily and is easily held smaller. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Plant it where the scent will be noticed, near a seat, a path or a doorway, in an informal hedge or in a border, in full sun or partial shade with some shelter. It wants fertile, well drained ground and regular watering through its first season; after that it is hardy, tolerant of wind and salt, and needs little more than an optional light trim once the flowers have gone over. Bees work the flowers heavily. Supplied garden ready with a 3L root ball.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Delavay osmanthus
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 2 to 4m tall by 2 to 4m wide, easily kept smaller with pruning
• Growth Habit: Rounded, bushy evergreen with gracefully arching branches
• Perfect For: Borders, informal hedging, containers, woodland edges, planting near seating
• Foliage: Small, dark green, glossy, finely toothed oval leaves
• Flowering Time: April and May, small sweetly scented white flowers
• Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade, sheltered; it takes wind and salt once established and grows well in a large container
• Soil Type: Fertile and well drained; it takes chalk, clay, loam and sand
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• Maintenance: Low. Light trim after flowering if needed
• Seasonal Interest: Spring
• Type: Evergreen shrub