Osmanthus armatus
thorny holly olive
A densely branched, upright to bushy shrub or small tree, reaching up to 5m (17ft) tall with a spread of 3m (10ft) bearing glossy, deep-green, holly-like leaves 15-20cm (6-8in)long and tiny but sweetly scented, white, tubular flowers in autumn appearing in small clusters from the leaf axils. The shrubs can be either male or female or hermaphroditic (producing flowers containing organs of both sexes) with very dark purple/black small egg-shaped fruit fruits only appearing on fertilsed female flowers around six months after flowering
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | Black Purple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | White | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Osmanthus can be evergreen shrubs or small trees with leathery, opposite leaves and small, usually fragrant, tubular white, yellow or orange flowers with 4 lobes, followed by ovoid blue-black fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows in any well-drained soil, in full sun.
Propagation
Propagate by seed in spring. Can also be propagated by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus
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