number 2

Both look like Osmanthus to me. The first almost looks like Osmanthus x Burkwoodii, a hybrid. But it would help to know where plant is growing.

The second almost looks like Osmanthus x fortunei 'San Jose', or similar or maybe fragrans?

Are these blooming NOW?? If so then likely NOT osmanthus!

Burkwood osmanthus and another osmanthus, as already suggested. Early spring is a typical time for Burkwood osmanthus to bud out and bloom. The other one probably blooms in fall.

bboy, thank you very much. Pictures were taken in Southern England.

Saw Burkwood osmanthus in bloom at a local garden center yesterday.

O x burkwoodii is in full swing here also. Jujujojo - you seem to get about a lot. Can you divulge where in S England you took these pictues? And when?

Posted by floral_uk 8/9 (My Page) on Sun, Mar 16, 14 at 16:08

Hampshire, March 5, 2014.

Whereabouts in Hampshire? On the coast? Any particular garden? Were you there yourself? Just curious. That's my neck of the woods.

Posted by floral_uk 8/9 (My Page) on Mon, Mar 17, 14 at 7:38

I was visiting. I don't own property in the area. So, that would be my friends' gardens. I realize the soil is clay and the weather is wet for this season :-) I did not remember that you were active on GW during that time. Maybe next time, I could pop in and visit your establishments.

I don't have any 'establishments,' jujujojo. Nor do I live in Hampshire. But I grew up there and know it well. I was just interested in where you were out of simple curiosity to know if it was somewhere I knew. The soils in Hampshire are very variable depending on where you are. They are not all clay by any means.

Posted by floral_uk 8/9 (My Page) on Mon, Mar 17, 14 at 13:00

What town did you spend your childhood in?

Where were your photos taken?

I realize now that Osmanthus x Burkwoodii does bloom in Spring because --- I have one!

I just put it in last spring when it was loaded with flowers. Flowers smell a bit like mild honey to me. Nothing like the fragrant fall-bloomers. But a nice plant. It seems to have handled our winter from hell OK.