Tuesday, September 1, 2020

This Month in the Garden: Feature Evergreen Shrub Osmanthus (False Holly)

This Month in the Garden: Feature Plant

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! Often, clients are looking for a colorful, low maintenance addition to the garden that will also give year-round interest. This Month's feature is Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki' (Goshiki False Holly), a beautiful evergreen shrub known for its outstanding variegated “holly-like” foliage. Meaning 'five colored' in Japanese, the name ‘Goshiki’ refers to the various colors found on each leaf. Hues of cream, pink, orange, yellow, and white appear as attractive spots which combine beautifully together to create interest in all seasons. 

 Osmanthus (False Holly) Mature Growth

Hardy in USDA zones 6-9 and growing to just 3-5 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, this lovely landscape shrub makes an excellent addition to the full sun to part shade garden. Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki' is slow growing, requires little maintenance, and can be pruned to keep a more compact size. This shrub can be grown in a variety of soil types and prefers moderate watering. Another attribute is that it is also "deer resistant".
Island Bed with Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki' (Goshiki False Holly)
As a landscape designer, I try to incorporate a variety of colors and textures, and have found multiple uses for this attractive evergreen shrub. Some ideas for placement include use as a foundation planting which receives partial shade, as a backdrop in a perennial border or as an addition to a raised island bed along with other partial-shade loving plants. For example, in the photo above I have used the highly variegated foliage of Osmanthus (in the foreground) to contrast with the dark green foliage of Weeping Norway Spruce (backdrop), with a variety of large-leaved hosta tucked in between. Depending on the season, the foliage of the Osmanthus will change to provide a constant display of changing color. This attractive and under-used shrub will be sure to make a statement in your landscape!
 Osmanthus (False Holly) New Growth in Spring
I hope you have enjoyed This Month in the Garden for September. Be sure to stop by on the 1st. and 15th. of each month as I share my lifetime love of horticulture with gardening and design tips, information and horticultural adventures. Today I am linking with: Macro Monday 2Friday Photo Journal and Image-in-ing Weekly Photo Link-Up. 

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~As Always...Happy Gardening! ~

 Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2020. All rights reserved.

13 comments:

  1. Wow Lee Beautiful plant.It would be my pleasure if you join my link up party related to Gardening where you can post about plants and flowers here at http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com/2020/08/garden-affair-love-for-caladiums.html

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    1. Thank you for visiting Arun and thank you for hosting your new meme. I'm sure it will be a hit!

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  2. How beautiful!Its leaves have an uncommon shape,it is gorgeous. Hugs.

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    1. I'm happy I was was able to share something new. It is a beautiful shrub with nice features.

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  3. An interesting shrub, Lee. Love its variegated leaves. It's obvious why its common name is false holly. Unfortunately, Osmanthus probably wouldn't thrive in my garden where winters are so harsh. Have a wonderful September! P. x

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    1. Hi Pam. I believe your area goes from zones 5a-7b, so I guess it depends on where you are. This shrub will survive winters down to zone 6.

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  4. I haven't known this shrub, Osmanthus. It has nice leaves of different colors. Is it hardy in zone 5, Lee? If it is I should look for it on the garden center sites.

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    1. Hi Nadezda. Unfortunately, Osmanthus is only winter hardy to zone 6, which means it is a little too cold where you are for this shrub. You may be able to grow a variegated Euonymus.

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  5. I've never hear of this shrub before .. what an interesting one it is.
    The variegation really makes it stand out as well as the leaf structure.
    I have never seen it offered here .. but then I am zone 5b .. so I wonder if I could ever sneak it in and be successful ? LOL .. I think I am a fan of it none the less.

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    1. It is a very interesting shrub and it has been a hit with my clients. I love how the foliage has different variations of color depending on the season.

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  6. Thanks for linking up with Garden Affair .Please do continue to link up with Garden Affair .
    http://jaipurgardening.blogspot.com

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  7. Loved the featured plant.
    Thank you for visiting in August
    and enjoy my little garden.
    Good continuation of the week.

    Amei a planta destaque.
    Obrigada pela visita no mês de agosto
    e apreciar meu pequeno jardim.
    Boa continuação de semana.

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    1. Thank you Janicce! I am glad you enjoyed the featured plant and I loved visiting your garden. Have a good day!

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Thank you for visiting. I love reading your comments and knowing you have been here, and will try to reciprocate on your blog. If you have any questions I will try my very best to answer them. As always...HAPPY GARDENING!