Origin
The Osmanthus x burkwoodii is a hybrid plant, resulting from the cross of two species from the Osmanthus genus. This cross took place in the nurseries of Burkwood and Skipwith in England, somewhere in the middle of the last century. The parents of the O. x burkwoodii are O. decorus from Little Asia and O. delavayi from Yunnan, China.

Characteristics
In terms of appearance, the O. x burkwoodii is a compact and wide-growing shrub. It is characterised by dark green, glossy leaves and clusters of small white, intensely fragrant flowers. What really makes this plant special is that it blooms from late spring to autumn. The flowers spread a sweet, pleasant fragrance reminiscent of jasmine or apricot.

Care
The O. x burkwoodii thrives in slightly acidic to neutral soil and prefers a spot in full sunshine or partial shade. Although it can withstand severe frost, shelter from cold wind is desirable to prevent damage to the foliage. The plant needs regular pruning to maintain its compact growth pattern. Fertilisation in the spring with an all-round garden fertiliser promotes healthy growth and flowering.