Osmanthus

The genus Osmanthus (Osmanthus) includes about 15 species of evergreen resistant shrubs and trees of slow growth, which reach a height of 5 m and are very valued for their decorative flowering and foliage. They are characterized by opposite leathery whole leaves and tubular small white fragrant flowers in panicles. The fruit is an egg-shaped drupe, inside contains a nut. Osmanthus delavayi (or Siphonosmanthus delavayi) is a species characterized by small glossy ovate dark green leaves with a serrated edge. The flowers are fragrant (they smell like jasmine), white, and bloom in April. Sweet osmanthus, or sweet olive (O. fragrans, or O. lea fragrans), is a species with large glossy leathery leaves that have an elliptical to oblong-lanceolate shape, with a finely toothed edge. It grows as a shrub or small tree. The flowers are small, very fragrant, white-cream. It usually blooms in autumn, but can also bloom in spring. In the East, flowers are used to flavor tea. Osmanthus scented orange (O. fragrans aurantiacus) has orange flowers. Osmanthus raznolistny, or padubolistny (O. heterophyllus), is a species with characteristic leaves that differ in shape even on one plant. They are toothed-spiny or ovate, with a single apical spine. Fragrant white flowers bloom in September-October. There are several decorative forms that are often used to create hedges. Osmanthus serratus (O. serrulatus) is a compact species with ovate-lanceolate glossy dark green leaves. Fragrant white flowers bloom in spring.

The genus Osmanthus (Osmanthus) includes about 15 species of evergreen resistant shrubs and trees of slow growth, which reach a height of 5 m and are very valued for their decorative flowering and foliage. They are characterized by opposite leathery whole leaves and tubular small white fragrant flowers in panicles. The fruit is an egg-shaped drupe, inside contains a nut.

Osmanthus delavayi (or Siphonosmanthus delavayi) is a species characterized by small glossy ovate dark green leaves with a serrated edge. The flowers are fragrant (they smell like jasmine), white, and bloom in April.

Sweet osmanthus, or sweet olive (O. fragrans, or O. lea fragrans), is a species with large glossy leathery leaves that have an elliptical to oblong-lanceolate shape, with a finely toothed edge. It grows as a shrub or small tree. The flowers are small, very fragrant, white-cream. It usually blooms in autumn, but can also bloom in spring. In the East, flowers are used to flavor tea.

Osmanthus scented orange (O. fragrans aurantiacus) has orange flowers.

Osmanthus raznolistny, or padubolistny (O. heterophyllus), is a species with characteristic leaves that differ in shape even on one plant. They are toothed-spiny or ovate, with a single apical spine. Fragrant white flowers bloom in September-October. There are several decorative forms that are often used to create hedges.

Osmanthus serratus (O. serrulatus) is a compact species with ovate-lanceolate glossy dark green leaves. Fragrant white flowers bloom in spring.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Osmanthus are grown in the open ground in single and small group plantings in parks and gardens. Various-leaved osmanthus is often used to create hedges. It can also be grown in large containers and flower boxes (30 cm in diameter or more) on balconies and terraces. Planted in a permanent place in the ground in autumn or early spring. They are suitable for any soil, although preferably slightly acidic (optimal soil acidity pH 5.5-6.0), well-drained, alkaline is not desirable. During planting, well-rotted manure or compost is applied at the rate of 1-3 kg per plant. When growing in pots, the soil is made up of fertile land (2/3) and peat (1/3) and add 30 g of complex mineral fertilizer per bucket of soil. In spring and summer, once every 30-40 days, a complex fertilizer is dissolved in water for irrigation in the amount of 20-30 g per bucket. Pruning is usually not necessary, just remove dry and damaged branches and trim hedges in April. "Trimmed" plants do not bloom profusely.

Plants of the genus Osmanthus are grown in the open ground in single and small group plantings in parks and gardens. Various-leaved osmanthus is often used to create hedges. It can also be grown in large containers and flower boxes (30 cm in diameter or more) on balconies and terraces. Planted in a permanent place in the ground in autumn or early spring. They are suitable for any soil, although preferably slightly acidic (optimal soil acidity pH 5.5-6.0), well-drained, alkaline is not desirable. During planting, well-rotted manure or compost is applied at the rate of 1-3 kg per plant. When growing in pots, the soil is made up of fertile land (2/3) and peat (1/3) and add 30 g of complex mineral fertilizer per bucket of soil. In spring and summer, once every 30-40 days, a complex fertilizer is dissolved in water for irrigation in the amount of 20-30 g per bucket. Pruning is usually not necessary, just remove dry and damaged branches and trim hedges in April. "Trimmed" plants do not bloom profusely.

Location

They can be planted both in the sun and in partial shade. The main thing is that the plants grow in a place protected from the winds.

Temperature

These plants are resistant to fluctuations in air temperature, but they are afraid of strong prolonged frosts, so in cold climates they are sheltered for the winter.

Watering

It is necessary only during periods of prolonged drought, especially for young plants immediately after planting in the ground. When growing in pots, they are regularly watered in spring and summer.

Transplant

Produce in the spring, if the plant is small former pot. Then it is enough to replace the surface layer of the soil.

Reproduction

The most common method is propagation by semi-lignified or lignified cuttings 10-15 cm long, which are taken in July and planted to form roots in a mixture of peat and sand (1:1) at a temperature of 20 °C. After the formation of roots, the plants are transplanted into pots filled with soil for cultivation, and allowed to winter in a closed, unheated room. Next spring, they are taken out into the open air. Planting in a permanent place in 2-3 years. Apply also reproduction layers, prikapyvaya long, located close to the ground branches, which are previously made from below an incision. After rooting, after about 2 years, new plants are separated from the mother plant. Sowing seeds is used less often, usually in the spring-immediately in the open ground or in seedling boxes.

Diseases

Leaf spots can be caused by Gleosporium oleae. Affected leaves are cut off and destroyed. Rotting of the roots provokes honey agaric (Armillaria mellea) Such plants should be removed. Osmanthus worms are affected. Treatment with anticoccidal drugs is carried out.

Acquisition

Osmanthus can be found in specialized nurseries and gardening centers. Buy not too large, but already well-formed plants (they are easier to plant in a permanent place). Check that the seedlings are healthy.