Syrian Privet Fontanesia fortunei
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- fon-tan-NEE-zee-uh fore-TYOO-nee-eye
- Description
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Fontanesia is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the olive family that is native to China and typically grows 10 to 15 feet tall. In its native habitat, it is reported to grow to a height of 30 feet. It blooms with short panicles of white flowers in June-July. It is a tough, privet-like, durable shrub with glossy evergreen leaves ranging from 1 to 5 inches long that tolerates urban conditions and drought. Some authorities include this shrub as one of two subspecies: Fontanesia philliraeoides subsp. fortunesia (the native to China discussed here) and Fontanesia philliraeoides subsp. philliraeoides (native to southern Europe, the Middle East and southwestern Asia featuring slightly smaller dull green leaves). The genus name honors French botanist Rene Louiche Desfontaines (1750-1833). The species name (fortunesia) honors Robert Fortune (1812-1880), a Scottish botanist who collected plants in China.
Fontanesia will grow in nearly any consistently moist, well-drained soil in sun to partial shade. Once established, the plant has some drought tolerance and is winter hardy to USDA zone 6. Easily cultivated, this shrub can be used for screening or in a shrub border and cut branches will easily take root to form a hedge.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Fontanesia
- Species:
- fortunei
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- East Asia, Central and South China
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Thin, flat disc 3/8 of an inch long with winged margins that are green maturing to brown.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White four petaled flowers in 1 1/4 inch long clusters of small blossoms from May to June or July. Individual flowers are about 1/6 of an inch long.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- One to five inch long and one inch wide green leaves are opposite, lanceolate shaped, with apex long acuminate and entire margins. The plant does not display fall color.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Tetragonal (four angles and four sides) stems in cross section.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Urban Conditions
