Evergreen Chinese shrub or small tree with leathery dark green leaves and tiny inconspicuous cream flowers that release one of the most powerful sweet apricot fragrances of any plant in cultivation. Flowers in autumn.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 7–10 | −17.8 °C to 4.4 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H4 | −10 °C to −5 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 8–9 | −7 °C and warmer | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 3–6 | −5 °C to 15 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Native to southern China — the city flower of Hangzhou and Guilin, where autumn osmanthus festivals draw thousands of visitors
- Dried flowers are used to flavour traditional Chinese tea (osmanthus tea), wines, and sweet sauces
- Strongly autumn-flowering — fragrance fills the air over surprising distances on warm autumn afternoons
- Distinct from other fragrant shrubs already in the database — Osmanthus is the autumn fragrance equivalent of the spring witch hazels
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Sweet osmanthus against your zones