Overview
Fontanesia phillyreoides is a plant with a clump forming habit in the genus Fontanesia, part of the Oleaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Fontanesia phillyreoides grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1b. Suggested uses include architectural, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, houseplants, patio and container plants and conservatory and greenhouse.
About
Fontanesia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Oleaceae, usually treated as comprising a single species Fontanesia phillyreoides, though some authors split this into two species (see below). It is native to southern Europe (Sicily), southwestern Asia (Lebanon, Syria, Turkey) and eastern Asia (China), with two well-separated populations. It is a deciduous shrub growing to 8 m tall. The leaves are opposite, lanceolate to narrow ovate, 3–12 cm long and 8–26 mm broad, with an acute apex and a usually entire margin, sometimes finely serrated. Grow it in full sun and partial shade and loam and sand soil. In UK gardens it needs subtropical warmth and glass protection in the UK (RHS H1b). It works well for architectural, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, houseplants, patio and container plants and conservatory and greenhouse. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and east-facing, south-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Fontanesia
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Fontanesia
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1b
Plant details
Fontanesia phillyreoides size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Houseplants, Patio and container plants, Conservatory and greenhouse
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Fontanesia phillyreoides
- Propagation
- Division, Stem cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Glasshouse red spider mite, Aphids, Glasshouse whitefly
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Fontanesia phillyreoides?
Fontanesia phillyreoides prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Fontanesia phillyreoides need?
Fontanesia phillyreoides grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Fontanesia phillyreoides hardy in the UK?
Fontanesia phillyreoides has an RHS hardiness rating of H1b, meaning it needs subtropical warmth of 10–15°C and must be grown under glass in the UK.
How do I propagate Fontanesia phillyreoides?
Division, Stem cuttings.
