Burkwood osmanthus is a hybrid evergreen shrub or small tree in the olive family (Oleaceae). The parents of this hybrid are the Delavay tea olive ( Osmanthus delavay i ) and Osmanthus decorus , a species from Turkey . The genus name comes from the Greek words for fragrant ( osme ) and flower ( anthos ). The hybrid epithet commemorates Burkwood and Skipwith Ltd., the English nursery where the hybrid was created, Place this shrub in an area with average well-drained soils anywhere from full sun to partial shade, though flower production is best in full sun. While it will not tolerate wet feet, it does appreciate supplemental irrigation. It tolerates heavy clay, alkaline soils, pollution, shade and drought. Burkwood osmanthus is a dense, slow-growing, large shrub that has dark green, leathery, semi-glossy leaves. Small clusters of tubular white flowers with four lobes appear in the axils of leaves in spring. While the flowers are somewhat inconspicuous, they are highly aromatic with a fragrance reminiscent of vanilla. Flowers appear on last season's wood; therefore, it is best to prune directly after flowering. The fruits are blue to purplish black drupes that ripen in the fall, although they are seldom produced in cultivation. The evergreen foliage gives this shrub year-round interest. Utilize this easy-to-grow, low-maintenance shrub as a screening hedge or as a specimen plant in a sensory garden. It is also ideal for a woodland setting. It is an excellent choice for that difficult dry shade corner of the landscape. Deer browsing is almost nonexistent for this plant. Quick ID Hints: Evergreen shrub with opposite, decussate leaf arrangement. Two types of leaves: serrulate and entire. Lenticels on the stems Fragrant, inconspicuous flowers in spring Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious pest and disease problems. VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I: Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II: Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Rounded
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cuneate; Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery; Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are opposite, decussate, simple, ovate to elliptic, narrow acute apex, cuneate base, and have serrulate marginal teeth (mature leaves tend to be entire). Leaves are semi-glossy, dark green above and paler beneath. They are glabrous and 1-1.5" long.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers are white, 4-lobed, fragrant, less than an inch in size, and have 2 yellow stamens. Inflorescence is a short cyme in leaf axils.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Blue; Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruits are an ovoid bluish purple-black to black drupe that are seldom seen in cultivation.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Twigs are squarish, green, and have numerous lenticels.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Play value
Easy to Grow; Fragrance
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Drupe
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Slope/Bank; Walkways; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Cottage Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Garden for the Blind