Classification of Osmanthus Varieties
As one of the top ten famous flowers in Chinese tradition, osmanthus is deeply loved for its rich fragrance and diverse forms. In courtyard landscaping and urban greening, different varieties of osmanthus show unique ornamental values. Mastering their classification characteristics can not only enhance the ornamental experience but also provide a scientific basis for horticultural maintenance.
Detailed Introduction to the Characteristics of Four Classic Osmanthus Varieties
Golden Osmanthus: Golden Rain in Autumn
Golden osmanthus is known for its orange-yellow flower clusters in full bloom in September and requires more than 5 years of tree age to flower. Its new leaves are purplish-red and mature leaves are dark green and leathery, with fine and dense sawtooth edges. Widely cultivated in the Yangtze River Valley, a single plant can yield up to 30 kilograms of flowers per year, making it the preferred variety for making osmanthus honey.
Silver Osmanthus: Fragrant Snow Sea under the Moon
Silver osmanthus with a milky yellow color is mostly distributed in the Lingnan region, and its flowering period is 7-10 days later than that of golden osmanthus. The leaves are green with a silver gray tinge, and the veins are clear like embroidery. Its flower fragrance is the most concentrated among all varieties, and the release of fragrance molecules is most active at a temperature difference of about 15°C, making it suitable for making high-end fragrance raw materials.
Four-season Osmanthus: Month after Month Fragrant Tree
The four-season osmanthus breaks the seasonal limitations and can bloom every 60-90 days. The elliptical leaves have smooth edges, and the new branches are light purple. Although the number of flowers per bloom is small, its continuous blooming period makes it a popular choice for balcony potted plants, requiring a maintenance temperature of above 5°C in winter.
Red Osmanthus: Cinnabar Dots Autumn Colors
The orange-red red osmanthus is a precious variety that presents a gradient color spectrum when blooming from September to October. The dark green leaves are thick and glossy, with unique fishtail-like curls at the leaf tips. The carotenoid content in its petals is three times that of golden osmanthus, making it suitable for making natural food dyes.
Three Elements for Identifying Osmanthus Varieties
Leaf Shape: The leaf length-to-width ratio of the four-season osmanthus is 1.5:1, while the other varieties reach 2.5:1; Leaf Color Gradient: Red Osmanthus > Golden Osmanthus > Silver Osmanthus > Four-season Osmanthus; Flower Fragrance Levels: Silver osmanthus has a fruity fragrance, golden osmanthus has a honey fragrance, red osmanthus has a woody fragrance, and four-season osmanthus has a light fragrance.
Mastering these identification points can not only accurately identify varieties but also landscape matching based on fragrance characteristics. For example, planting silver osmanthus uphill can let the fragrance spread with the wind; red osmanthus is suitable for planting as a visual focus tree.