Osmanthus 'Jim Porter'

Also Known As

Osmanthus armatus 'Jim Porter'
Jim Porter Sweet Toothed Sweet Olive

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

H: 8'-14'
W: 4'-8'

planting zones

7a-9b

More Options

Osmanthus 'Jim Porter' plant details

Osmanthus 'Jim Porter' is a broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree with green foliage. In fall and winter white flowers emerge followed by blue fruit. Features glossy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - occasional water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Osmanthus 'Jim Porter'

Plant type: shrub or tree
Plant family: oleaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 4 FT - 8 FT - wide, 8 FT - 14 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in fall and winter
Uses: easy-to-grow, fragrant, hedge, leathery leaves, screen

GROWING CONDITIONS for Osmanthus 'Jim Porter'

USDA Zones: 7a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and humidity
Soil needs: average, clay, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Relatively unknown, this architectural evergreen shrub is a clone from a chance seedling in Jim Porter's garden. Leaves are narrow, 4" long, with attractive deeply toothed (spined) margins that inspire oh's and ah's from garden visitors. Leaf surfaces look like they have been dipped in paraffin…moderate grower, 6-8' column, becoming more pyramidical with age. Sun to part shade, most soil, summer water. Deer don't nip at ours. Tiny but surprisingly fragrant flowers in fall. Very beautiful, low care, underused.

By: Secret Garden Growers

Will get 12’-14’ tall with broad deeply toothed spiny foliage. The deep green leaves are very attractive. In November, the small flowers will smell of apricots.

By: Gossler Farms

An evergreen growing to 6-8' tall in a narrow pyramidal form, hardy to zone 7, likes sun to shade, moist well drained soil. Leaves are up to 4" long, narrow, shiny waxy green, deeply dissected. Flowering in Sept thru November, very fragrant white clusters.

By: Accents for Home and Garden

Thought to be derived from O. armatus, O. 'Jim Porter' has one of the most beautifully sculptured appearances of any in the genus. Reasonably fast to 6-8' and a narrow pyramidal form with 4", narrow, shiny green leaves dissected more than halfway back to the mid vein in a wonderful spiked pattern. Flowering begins in September and often lasts through November and December with very fragrant, small, white clusters amid the leaves. Typical Osmanthus culture -- reasonably well-drained soil; sun to light shade; summer watering is best in dry climates to maintain vigor. Frost hardy in USDA zone 7.