Owari Satsuma Mandarin Orange
Citrus reticulata 'Owari'
Seedless, medium sized orange fruit is sweet and juicy. Ripens early and stores very well. Dark green evergreen foliage on slender spreading branches. Not recommended for desert areas.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | SIT-rus re-tik-u-LA-ta |
| Key feature: | Edible |
| Plant type: | Citrus |
| Garden style: | Mediterranean |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 9 - 10 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate growing, spreading form to 10 to 12 ft. tall and wide. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Growth habit: | Round |
| Flower attribute: | Fragrant |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Edible, Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Container, Espalier, Specimen |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Early spring |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 2660 |
| Retailers for this plant: |
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
With the exception of desert areas, this small tree bearing delicious fruit is an excellent choice for an enclosed patio garden in full sun. Attractive, spreading form is a lovely accent or focal point in fruit and pleasantly fragrant in flower.
Companion Plants
As a sharp contrast to the slender, spreading form of the mandarin, try Firebird Canna (Canna x generalis 'Firebird'), with its tropical looking, paddle-shaped leaves and crimson flowers. The red-pink flower clusters of Canberra Gem Grevillea (Grevillea x 'Canberra Gem') are also a good foil. Use Purple SpreaderTM Garden Verbena (Verbena x hybrida 'Homestead') as an attractive, trailing groundcover.
History
The mandarin orange originated in southeast Asia where it has been cultivated and hybridized for centuries. They are now classified exclusively by cultivars. This variety is among the Japanese satsuma type mandarins that ripen very early. 'Owari' is ancient, developed in Japan very early on and has been continually cultivated ever since. It is in the ancestry of all Satsumas grown today.
Lore
Citrus fruit was carried on the ships of early sea farers because its vitamin C content was high enough to keep the dreaded disease, scurvy, at bay on long voyages. Citrus fruit is valued for fresh eating, marmalade, and many other culinary dishes.
Seedless, medium sized orange fruit is sweet and juicy. Ripens early and stores very well. Dark green evergreen foliage on slender spreading branches. Not recommended for desert areas.
Care Information
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: winter.
Design Ideas
With the exception of desert areas, this small tree bearing delicious fruit is an excellent choice for an enclosed patio garden in full sun. Attractive, spreading form is a lovely accent or focal point in fruit and pleasantly fragrant in flower.
Companion Plants
As a sharp contrast to the slender, spreading form of the mandarin, try Firebird Canna (Canna x generalis 'Firebird'), with its tropical looking, paddle-shaped leaves and crimson flowers. The red-pink flower clusters of Canberra Gem Grevillea (Grevillea x 'Canberra Gem') are also a good foil. Use Purple SpreaderTM Garden Verbena (Verbena x hybrida 'Homestead') as an attractive, trailing groundcover.
History
The mandarin orange originated in southeast Asia where it has been cultivated and hybridized for centuries. They are now classified exclusively by cultivars. This variety is among the Japanese satsuma type mandarins that ripen very early. 'Owari' is ancient, developed in Japan very early on and has been continually cultivated ever since. It is in the ancestry of all Satsumas grown today.
Lore
Citrus fruit was carried on the ships of early sea farers because its vitamin C content was high enough to keep the dreaded disease, scurvy, at bay on long voyages. Citrus fruit is valued for fresh eating, marmalade, and many other culinary dishes.
| Botanical Pronunciation: | SIT-rus re-tik-u-LA-ta |
| Key feature: | Edible |
| Plant type: | Citrus |
| Garden style: | Mediterranean |
| Deciduous/evergreen: | Evergreen |
| Cold hardiness zones: | 9 - 10 |
| Light needs: | Partial to full sun |
| Water Needs: | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Average landscape size: | Moderate growing, spreading form to 10 to 12 ft. tall and wide. |
| Growth rate: | Moderate |
| Growth habit: | Round |
| Flower attribute: | Fragrant |
| Special features: | Attracts Birds, Edible, Year-round Interest |
| Landscape uses: | Container, Espalier, Specimen |
| Flower color: | White |
| Blooms: | Early spring |
| Foliage color: | Green |
| Item no.: | 2660 |
