Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Niwaki’

Evergreen and hardy, this is an ideal candidate for shaping into Niwaki and it produces deliciously little white flowers in autumn. Any reasonably well drained soil in an open but not unduly exposed position. A fine specimen sat in a pot for at least 20 years in Campo Santo Stephano near St Mark's in Venice. 'By cuttings'

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.