White Osyris Care
Osyris alba
An evergreen semi-parasitic shrub native to Mediterranean maquis. It lives by drawing water and nutrients from the roots of other plants, which makes it very drought tolerant. It loves full sun and poor, calcareous soils; it is rarely used in landscaping.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Fertilizing: Not needed; it should not be given.
- Pruning: Remove only dry or damaged branches. Let it keep its natural form; if in doubt, do not touch it.
- Plant protection: Not required, naturally hardy.
- General care: Dormancy period.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
- Pruning: It does not need formative pruning and its top should not be cut. Only remove dry, broken, and diseased branches.
- General care: Rest period continues.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
- Watering: Not needed. Spring rains are sufficient.
- Fertilizing: It must absolutely not be given.
- General care: Growth begins. The plant prepares for flowering.
- General care: It produces small, yellowish flowers.
- General care: Flowering continues. It attracts insects for pollination.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: Fruit set begins.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: It shows full tolerance to the hottest and driest conditions. Fruits develop.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: The fruits continue to grow.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Fertilizing: It must absolutely not be given.
- General care: Its fruits ripen; propagation from seed can be tried.
- Watering: Not required; autumn precipitation is beginning.
- General care: Its red, fleshy fruits (drupes) are prominent and are eaten by birds.
- General care: Enters dormancy.
- General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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