August osmanthus is the osmanthus that blooms in the eighth month of the lunar calendar, with a rich fragrance and easy care

August osmanthus is a type of osmanthus, named because it mostly opens around the eighth month of the lunar calendar, and the folk saying that osmanthus is fragrant in the eighth month refers to it. It is an evergreen small tree or shrub of the genus Osmanthus in the family Oleaceae, and it is also one of China's traditional famous flowers, commonly seen in southern courtyards, parks and along both sides of streets. Unlike the four-season osmanthus, which can bloom several times a year, August osmanthus blooms in one concentrated period each year, and although the flowering period is not very long, its fragrance is even richer.

According to differences in flower color and fragrance, August osmanthus can be roughly divided into several cultivar groups: Jingu, Yingu and Dangui. Jingu has golden-yellow flowers and a relatively strong fragrance; Yingu has yellowish-white flowers and a delicate fragrance; Dangui has orange-red flowers and a striking ornamental effect. Their tree shape is round and full, and their leathery, glossy leaves make them a good courtyard landscaping tree even when not in bloom.

To care for August osmanthus, place it in a position with as much sunlight as possible, as long-term lack of light easily leads to leggy branches and leaves and fewer flowers. It likes loose, fertile, well-drained slightly acidic soil, and watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet; it most fears waterlogging in the pot or ground causing root rot. During the growing season, apply thin fertilizer frequently, and appropriately supplement phosphorus and potassium fertilizer near the flowering period to help flower bud differentiation; after flowering, prune weak and overly dense branches in time, and the tree shape will be neater and more beautiful.

August osmanthus also has many uses. Its flowers can be used to scent osmanthus tea, and can also be made into osmanthus cake, osmanthus honey, etc. In some southern regions there is also the custom of harvesting osmanthus. If the August osmanthus at home only grows leaves and does not bloom, it is mostly caused by insufficient light, excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer, or long-term failure to change the pot and soil; find the cause and adjust slowly, and generally it can return to normal flowering.