James H. Schutte
Family
Oleaceae
Botanical Name
Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Variegatus'
Plant Common Name
Holly Osmanthus, Variegated Holly Osmanthus
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Resembling a holly on first inspection, the variegated holly osmanthus has elegant ivory and green foliage and lovely floral fragrance in mid to late autumn. An evergreen broadleaf shrub that is terrific as a hedge, it hails from Japan.
Each stiff leaf is edged in small teeth. Held in opposite pairs on the stem, each is oblong and leathery. The dark green color is contrasted with an edge of ivory-white. In mid to late autumn, mobbed clusters of fragrant white blossoms line the branches. Only rarely does a flower develop into the blue to purple-black fruit.
Grow 'Variegatus' in a variety of landscape situations: nearly full sun to dense shade, acidic to lightly alkaline, moist or dry soils. Do take care to place in a site that has good drainage. Also tolerant of heat and never afflicted by pestilence, this shrub is ideal for low hedges, a prickly security barrier or foundation accent. The dense foliage of this variegated selection is nice to brighten shady landscapes. Do be aware that it tends to be slightly more prone to cold damage than other holly osmanthus cultivars.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 9
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Sunset Zone
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
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Height
8'-11' / 2.4m - 3.4m
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Width
6'-9' / 1.8m - 2.7m
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Bloom Time
Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall
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Native To
Japan
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Fruit Color
Dark Blue, Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green, Ivory
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green, Ivory
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green, Ivory
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green, Ivory
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Variegated
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Bark Color
Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
