Sweet Olive

Sweet Olive

Botanical name: Osmanthus fragrans

Bloom type: Perennial 

The Sweet Olive Bush, scientifically known as Osmanthus fragrans, is a flowering evergreen shrub or small tree in the Oleaceae family. It is native to Asia, particularly China, Japan, and the Himalayas. Renowned for its intensely fragrant flowers, the Sweet Olive Bush is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.

Appearance:

• Leaves: The leaves are opposite, simple, leathery, and dark green. They are typically 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, with a smooth or slightly serrated margin.
• Flowers: Sweet Olive Bush produces small, white to yellowish, or orange flowers. The flowers are tubular and have a strong, sweet fragrance that resembles apricots or jasmine. They bloom in clusters in the leaf axils.
• Bloom Type: The flowers are small and tubular, clustered in axillary racemes. They bloom several times a year, often in the fall and spring.
• Size: This plant can grow to a height of 10-20 feet (3-6 meters) and spread about 6-10 feet (2-3 meters) wide, forming a dense, rounded canopy.