Sweet Olive

Sweet Olive

Botanical name: Osmanthus fragrans

Bloom type: Perennial 

Fragrant tea olive is a broadleaf, evergreen shrub with a dense habit in the olive family (Oleaceae). It is native to China, Japan and Southeast Asia. This plant has small but extremely fragrant flowers that appear in the early spring and again in the fall. The genus name comes from the Greek words for fragrant (osme) and flower (anthos). The species epithet means “fragrant.”

Plant this shrub in full sun to partial shade and in moist soils with good drainage. In southern climates, afternoon shade is a must. Heavy clay soils are tolerated. Once established this plant is drought tolerant, but be sure to supply supplemental watering in hot dry months. It responds well to pruning for shape and can be pruned into a tree or an espalier. When pruning, keep in mind that next season's blossoms will appear on old (this year’s) growth. Pruning can diminish next year’s floral display. In cooler climates, this plant can be grown in containers and overwintered indoors or as a houseplant.

Several cultivars are available of both the white-flowered variety (var. fragrans) and the orange-flowered variety (var. aurantiacus), as well as hybrids between the two. Fragrant tee olive is one of the parents of Fortune’s osmanthus (Osmanthus x fortunei), but Fortune’s osmanthus has numerous, evenly spaced spines on its leaves, a feature inherited from its other parent, false holly (Osmanthus heterophyllus).

Plant it as a large specimen for open or lawn areas, use it as a screen or hedge plant, or place it at the back of a perennial border. It works well in Asian, formal, or cottage gardens. Placing it near pathways, patios, or entrances ensures you can enjoy the delightful fragrance. The dried flowers are added to black tea to impart a delicate fragrance, so this plant has a place in edible gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for aphids and scale. It is frost-sensitive, and injury will affect flowering the following fall.

Information sourced from the NC Master Gardener Plant Toolbox