Tea Olive 'San Jose'
- Scientific Name: Osmanthus x fortunei 'San Jose'
- Garden: Beneficial Insects and Compost Garden
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen
- Sun/Shade Exposure: Full Sun
- Moisture Requirements: Dry
Plant Information
Amazing hybrid Tea olive that inherits the insane perfume of O. fragrans and cold hardiness from O. heterophyllus. Fast growing columnar broad leaved evergreen shrub to 16′ tall x 5′ wide in 7 years. In time it can make tree like status to 20″+ tall. Otherwise pruning easily keeps it much smaller. In Oct–Dec. tiny parchment colored flowers crowd the stems and emit the sweet penetrating perfume of Freesia and apricots. On mild days its detectable up to 20′ away. Juvenile foliage is prickly but as the shrub matures it develops entire leaves with a smooth margin. Young plants grow about 2′–5′ per year depending upon summer irrigation and soil fertility. This shrub is always at its most lustrous and healthy appearance. Average well drained soil with light but consistent summer irrigation. Totally summer drought tolerant when established. Excellent screen, hedge, or just as a large specimen if you love perfume. Bark/stems are a handsome pale tan- good contrast with the deep green leaves. Avoid direct exposure to subfreezing east wind. Long lived.
Plant type: Hedge or Screen, Shrub, Tree
Sun exposure: Full Sun
Biome: Dry Shade, Low Water/No Water, Oregon Coast
USDA Hardiness zone: Zn7b 10º to 5ºF
Foliage color: Dark Green
Foliage season: Evergreen
Data Source
https://www.xeraplants.comPlant Photos
