Osmanthus Fragrans 'Tian Xiang Tai Ge' (天香台阁桂花) (2 Gal Live Plant) (Fragrant)

The "Tianxiangtaige" variety of Osmanthus fragrans, developed in the 1970s by Bao Zhixian of the Hua'an Osmanthus Research Institute in Jinhua, China, is a rare and unique cultivar. Here are the key details about this variety:

Flowering and Fruiting: It blooms from September to early October, with the fruiting period in March. Under facility cultivation, it can bloom all year. The flower exhibit a pavilion phenomenon (a multi-tiered appearance), and the peak bloom period is from September to April.
Morphological Characteristics: This is an evergreen shrub or small tree with an ellipsoidal crown. It has dark green, leathery leaves, and the twigs are upright, with an average branching length of 14 cm. The leaves are mostly elliptical, with sharp serrations on later-season leaves.
Flower Characteristics: Flowers are of two types: normal and leaf-shaped. Normal flowers, which bloom mainly in autumn, winter, and spring, have concave, fleshy petals, with flower diameters of 1.0-1.4 cm. Leaf-shaped flowers, which are larger (over 1.5 cm, reaching up to 3 cm), appear mainly in the summer, with light yellow, yellow-green, or purple-red hues. Flower fragrance varies with temperature, being strongest at 15-20°C.
Flower Color: Colors change with the seasons, ranging from milky white to lemon yellow in summer and from orange-yellow to medium yellow in cooler seasons.
Growth Environment: It thrives in warm subtropical regions, where temperatures range between 14°C and 19°C, with average annual precipitation between 900-1800 mm. It prefers slightly acidic, well-drained, fertile soils rich in humus and requires moist but not waterlogged conditions. Although it is somewhat shade-tolerant when young, it prefers sunlight as it matures.

Growth and Care:
Climate Preferences: Tianxiangtaige is not cold-resistant and prefers warm, humid conditions. It cannot tolerate severe cold, though it has some cold resistance in milder climates. It thrives in climates where the annual temperature does not fall below -5°C.
Soil: It requires slightly acidic, well-drained soils, avoiding drought, barren, or saline-alkali conditions. Waterlogged soil can result in poor growth, root rot, or death.
This variety stands out for its ability to bloom year-round, large flower size, varied shapes, and a fragrant profile. Its adaptability under controlled environments has made it a valuable plant species for those cultivating Osmanthus fragrans.