Osmanthus fortunei

The Osmanthus fortunei is an excellent hybrid osmanthus that combines the qualities of its two parents; with the remarkably fragrant flowering of the sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans), this bush combines cold resistance and the beautiful foliage of holly (Osmanthus heterophyllus). With a beautiful stature, well-branched, very bushy, and foliage even in winter, this osmanthus blooms abundantly in late summer or autumn, in clusters of small white flowers that perfume an entire area of the garden. This bush, superb in a free hedge or as a background for a border, is also relatively undemanding with regard to the soil, as long as it is well-drained.

The Osmanthus fortunei is a spontaneous hybrid discovered in Japan in 1856. This plant belongs to the large and rich family of Oleaceae, which includes, for example, olive trees, lilacs, and jasmines. With relatively slow growth, this bush can reach a height of 5m (16ft) and a width of 3m (10ft) at maturity. Its habit is globose and dense during the first years, then it becomes broadly pyramidal. This osmanthus often forms multiple trunks and well-branched vegetation. The branches bear leaves arranged in an opposite manner, while holly has leaves arranged alternately. Its leaves are thick, lanceolate in shape, toothed and spiny, measuring 6 to 10cm (2 to 4in) in length. On the upper branches of mature specimens, they often show a smooth edge. Flowering takes place from September to November, depending on the climate. At the axils of the leaves, numerous pendulous clusters of 4 to 8 small tubular flowers with 4 cream-white petals, highly fragrant, are born. The flowers exhale a complex fragrance reminiscent of jasmine, but lighter, softened by notes of apricot, apple, clementine, and ripe peach. The flowers are visited by many pollinating insects, except bees, which are deterred by the richness of the ethanol fragrance. This hybrid rarely produces fruit.

Properties and uses:

Osmanthus flowers are sometimes mixed with tea to flavor it, or with biscuits, and are locally used in the production of a very old traditional Chinese liqueur served in jade cups. Perfumery also uses osmanthus absolute in the composition of high-end perfumes or cosmetics. Osmanthus absolute also has repellent properties against insects. The bark and roots are part of traditional Asian pharmacopoeia and are used to treat various inflammatory conditions or chronic coughs.