Osmanthus fortunei

Also known as Fortune's Osmanthus, this broadleaf evergreen is presumably a very old (prior to the mid-19th century) artificial hybrid between Osmanthus fragrans and Osmanthus heterophyllus. It was first brought to Europe from Japan by the German botanist Phillip Franz Von Siebold, but the name fortunei honors Robert Fortune, a Scottish botanist who first brought the palm to Europe. Osmanthus fortunei prefers full sun and acidic soil but will tolerate partial shade and alkaline soils. The leaves are large like O. fragrans, but have a spine tip like O. heterophyllus. It is also deer resistant and more cold hardy than other Osmanthus. A nice plant for hedges or screens.

Growth rate, habit: slow, dense/columnar/upright/mounding

Mature size: 15-20 ft high and 6-10 ft wide

Soil/water: acidic soil/moist

Cold hardiness temperature:

Light: full sun to partial shade

Blooms: small fragrant blooms in late summer and fall

Features: fragrant, evergreen, deer resistant, good for screening, cold hardy

Special considerations: hardy to zone 7