Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Variegatus'

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Variegatus'

Common name: holly olive

Family: Oleaceae

Leaf: leathery, ovate to elliptic, deep green leaves, up to 2.5" long, which vary somewhat in shape. Young leaves have 'holly-like' spiny margins, adult leaves having typically entire margins. Osmanthus holly olive leaves are opposite (whereas real holly leaves are alternate)

Flower: tiny, fragrant, white flowers bloom in the fall, November in small clusters right in the leaf axils, often hidden in the foliage. Dioecious (female flowers occurring on one plant, male flowers occurring on the other)

Height: 8-10; Spread: 5-8'

Habit: dense, bushy evergreen shrub; Form: mounded, upright

Culture: Winter hardy to USDA zones 7-9 (sometimes zone 6). If grown in zone 6, make sure to plant in a well-protected location, with good winter mulch. Best grown in average, well-drained, consistently moist soils in full sun. Afternoon part-shade is good in areas with hot summer climates. Tolerates heavy clay soils. Drought tolerant once established. Prune as needed to maintain shape. Can be planted in containers and brought indoors to overwinter where it is not quite winter hardy.

Uses: containers, screen, hedge, shrub border

Origin: O. heterophyllus is native to Japan and Taiwan

Osmanthus heterophyllus