Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’
Goshiki False Holly

Every so often a cultivar comes along that makes you take a long look at a genus or species you’ve known for years and dismissed in favor of other plants. Osmanthus ‘Goshiki' is just that sort of plant. Sure, Osmanthus is tough as nails, but hollies could do the same job, so it was never the first plant to come to mind for those shaded locations in need of an evergreen or some brightening. That has changed considerably with the introduction of this plant.

The Japanese name says a lot about this plants best attribute. Goshiki is Japanese for “five colored” and the plant lives up to that name. New foliage comes in a pinkish-bronze and as it matures they take on varied shades of green with swirls of cream and gold throughout. This amazing splash of foliage color is just the thing to lighten that shady corner, but don’t feel you need to relegate this evergreen to the dark corners of the garden as it does well from full shade to full sun.

The shiny, spined foliage is oblivious to insect and disease damage and makes for a wonderful addition to holiday decorations at Christmas, with its holly-like foliage. While it lacks for berries or flowers in early years, the incredible foliage display more than makes up for the lack; it is not often that foliage variegation takes on that “stopped in your tracks” quality but this is that kind of plant.

Try one in your garden and see if ‘Goshiki’ doesn’t make your list of favorite plants next year…

Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ is an evergreen plant with an 8'x 6' habit, suitable for full sun to full shade in average soil and moisture. It is suitable for both specimen and massed or hedging use, and is hardy from Zone 6 to Zone 9.