Midweek with Mark - "Osmanthus & Relatives" 

Love this program! The explanations and education are most appreciated. Thank you.

Osmanthus heterophyllus has escaped and I've seen several growing in a wooded undeveloped gulch near my home in northern VA, not too far from an intermittent stream. Deer have not bothered it. Also, you did not discuss O. armatus I don't believe, unless I missed it. It does well up here in zone 7A, maybe even into 6B, and is quite cold-tolerant. Older leaves can become entire, which is nice. Younger leaves are very heavily 'armed'. Another interesting hybrid I am growing is Osmanthus x burkwoodii, which blooms in early spring -- sort of honey-scented flowers. Can be sheared quite compactly.

I see a few Chionanthus retusus in the Triad, but I've seen several efforts to grow it fail. So very interesting that it is thought tough. A limbed up single stalk Chionanthus virginicus is just as pretty if not more so.

Thank you

My all time favorite shrub Osmanthus fragrans. We have a 15’ plant that flowers all winter, so a 10 year old aurantiacus has proved a disappointment. Showy in flower though, and a slower tighter grower. I also have Massey Lane.

I have read that a 20 degree temperature shift is what triggers flowering. Yummy.

Where can i purchase seeds for this fragrant plant?

A lot of olive family from dry climates

Lilacs like lime.

What is the name of the Osmanthus in the background?

I've seen reversion on the Sunshine Privet where it's taken over most of the shrub. Anything over planted isn't a good idea, as we've seen. I feel like an unintended eco- terrorist for ever selling Privet, Ivy & Chinese Wisteria. As penance, I'm fighting those from the property next to me. Karma got me!

Any plans to have Apricot Echo in the plant buggy sale soon? :)

The native Chionanthus likes lime.

My pearly gates leave's have gone brown why😢