Osmanthus x burkwoodii, Burkwood osmanthus
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Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Osmanthus x burkwoodii

Burkwood osmanthus

Oleaceae
Hybrid of garden origin — {O. delavayi} (Yunnan, China) × {Phillyrea decora} (western Asia); created by Burkwood & Skipwith Nurseries, UK

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At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)
Width6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m)
Maturity8 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9
Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsDeer ResistantDrought TolerantFragrant (strong)Container Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Osmanthus x burkwoodii is Burkwood osmanthus (fragrant osmanthus), an upright evergreen shrub growing 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) tall and 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) wide. White tubular 4-lobed flowers 0.3 inch (8 mm) in dense axillary clusters of 5-7 in March-April (3 weeks). Strongly fragrant (sweet, jasmine-like). Glossy dark green finely toothed leaves 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) without spines. In Oleaceae. An intergeneric hybrid: O. delavayi × Phillyrea decora. Hardier than O. delavayi (zone 6 vs. zone 7). Flowers on previous year's wood — prune immediately after flowering. Intermediate in leaf size between O. delavayi and O. heterophyllus. Slow-growing (5-8 years to mature size) — this slow growth rate is the primary limitation for screening use. Drought-tolerant once established. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 6-9. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is slow to moderate.

Native Range

Hybrid of garden origin — O. delavayi (Yunnan, China) × Phillyrea decora (western Asia). Created by Burkwood & Skipwith Nurseries, Kingston-upon-Thames, UK.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a fragrant evergreen hedge, screen, or specimen, and in containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L), spaced 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m). Spring fragrance. Dense screening. Non-toxic. Zones 6-9.

How to Identify

Identified by intensely fragrant white flower clusters in early spring on an upright evergreen shrub with glossy dark green finely toothed leaves without spines. The smooth (non-spiny) leaf margins distinguish O. x burkwoodii from the holly-like O. heterophyllus. Intermediate leaf size between the small-leaved O. delavayi and the larger O. heterophyllus. In Oleaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 10'
Width/Spread6' - 8'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Early to mid spring (March-April). White tubular 4-lobed flowers 0.3 inch (8 mm) in dense axillary clusters. Strongly fragrant (jasmine-like). 3 weeks. Bee-visited.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, tubular, 0.3 inch (8 mm), 4-lobed, in dense axillary clusters of 5-7; March-April; strongly fragrant (sweet, jasmine-like — among the most intensely fragrant spring-blooming shrubs)

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green, ovate to elliptic, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm), finely toothed margins, leathery; intermediate in size between the small-leaved O. delavayi and the larger O. heterophyllus; no spines (smooth margins — unlike the holly-like O. heterophyllus); evergreen year-round

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-8 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5. Drought-tolerant once established. Flowers on previous year's wood — prune immediately after flowering (April-May). Hardier than O. delavayi (zone 6). Slow-growing. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 6-9.

Pruning

Prune immediately after flowering (April-May) — flowers on previous year's wood. Shape as desired. Tolerates formal hedging. The dense habit requires minimal shaping in informal settings.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 10 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic