OSMANTHUS AQUIFOLIUM

Osmanthus heterophyllus, commonly known as holly-leaved osmanthus or “osmanthus aquifolium”, is an ornamental evergreen shrub, appreciated for its rusticity, decorative foliage and fragrant autumn flowering. Native to Japan and Taiwan, it stands out for its dense, compact shape and ability to maintain a tidy appearance with minimal pruning. The leathery, shiny leaves are dark green and deeply serrated, with spiny edges especially in young specimens. The similarity to holly (Ilex aquifolium) has contributed to the spread of the common name, but unlike the latter, osmanthus has a finer texture and a more regular arrangement of the foliage. With age, the leaves tend to become less spiny and more ovate. In autumn, Osmanthus heterophyllus offers a discreet but deliciously scented flowering: small white flowers, gathered in small groups in the axils of the leaves, release an intense and sweet fragrance, similar to that of jasmine. Although small in size and visually inconspicuous, the flowers are highly appreciated for their scent, which spreads widely around the plant. The spiny-leaved osmanthus can reach 3-4 meters in height, maintaining a slow and orderly growth. It is suitable both as an isolated specimen, and in formal or natural hedges, thanks to its tolerance to pruning and compact structure. It prefers exposure to full sun or partial shade, on well-drained, fresh and slightly acidic soils, but it also easily adapts to less ideal conditions. Osmanthus heterophyllus is a very rustic plant, resistant to cold and wind, also suitable for city gardens thanks to its tolerance to air pollution. It requires little care and It is ideal for those looking for an evergreen plant with constant decorative value and an interesting scented flowering in the period in which the garden offers less colour.