Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ (08/02/15, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist, well drained
Flowering period: Late summer to autumn
Eventual Height: 1.5m
Eventual Spread: 1.5m
Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Oleaceae
Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ is an evergreen shrub with a rounded dense habit. Its dark green variegated leaves are holly like with entire margins, have large spines and are up to 7cm long and 4cm broad. Its sharp spines become diminished on mature plants. Its white flowers are tubular with a jasmine like scent, although it rarely flower and they are sparse. Its blue/black fruit are ovoid and up to 1cm across.
The species Osmanthus heterophyllus, commonly known as the False Holly, Holly Osmanthus and Holly Olive, is native to Asian islands of Taiwan and Japan.
The etymological root of the binomial name Osmanthus is derived from the Greek osme ‘perfume’ and anthus ‘flower’. Heterophyllus is derived from the Greek etero ‘different’ and fullon ‘leaf’, in reference to the different forms of the leaf.
Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ Leaf (08/02/15, Kew Gardens, London)
The landscape architect may find Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ useful as a variegated specimen shrub.
Ecologically, Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ is attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ their prestigious Award of Garden in 2012.
Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ prefers moist, fertile well-drained soils. It will tolerate most pH of soil, although it prefers neutral to acidic soils.
Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ requires little maintenance.
