Osyris alba
Osyris alba · Santalaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around osyris alba and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, fine and linear
- Flowering
- Spring (April-May), small discreet white or greenish flowers
- Adult size
- 1 to 3 m in height, bushy and airy growth habit
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Down to approximately -5 °C, sensitive to severe frost
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin and Middle East
- Soil type
- Well-drained, light, tolerant of chalky and poor soils
Care
Exposure and light
Osyris alba prefers a sunny or semi-shaded location. It enjoys bright light, particularly in Mediterranean or warm climates. In cooler regions, full sun promotes its health and development.
Watering
Once established, this plant is very drought-tolerant. Water regularly during planting and the first two years. After that, limit watering except during prolonged heat waves or extreme drought.
Soil preparation
Osyris alba adapts to poor, well-drained soils. Improve the soil with sand or gravel if your soil is too clayey or retains water. It tolerates alkalinity and chalky soils without any problem.
Pruning and shaping
Light pruning after flowering is sufficient to maintain a harmonious shape. Remove dead or misplaced branches. Avoid severe pruning which can weaken the natural and airy growth habit of the shrub.
Fertilization
Osyris alba requires little nutritional input. Limit fertilizer, particularly in poor soil, as it is well-adapted to it. A moderate application of balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient if you wish to support it.
Health and problems
This species is generally very resistant to pests and diseases. Beware of excess soil moisture which promotes root rot. Good air circulation and optimal drainage are your best prevention.
Did you know?
Osyris alba is a partially parasitic plant: it possesses a root system that can parasitize neighboring shrubs or trees to draw water and nutrients. In the Mediterranean, it features in the traditional composition of maquis, that hardy vegetation complex adapted to extreme drought.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.