Maintenance Landscaping Design

Fragrant tea olive is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is highly prized for its strongly fragrant flowers. Tea olive is dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The flowers bloom in fall or winter and have a lemony, sweet fragrance that can be smelled from a distance.

Also known as

• Sweet olive
  
• Osmanthus
  
• Tea olive
  
• Fragrant olive
  
• Sweet-scented olive

Common Knowledge

• Fragrant tea olive is an evergreen shrub or small tree.
  
• It is native to eastern and southern China, as well as parts of Japan and Korea.
  
• The plant can grow to a height of 15 feet (6 meters).
  
• It has fragrant, white flowers that bloom in the spring and summer.
  
• The flowers are often used in potpourris and perfumes.
  
• Tea olives are used as a rootstock for camellias.
  
• The fruits of the fragrant tea olive are black and olive-shaped.
  
• The fruit is sometimes used in making jellies and jams.
  
• The oil from the seeds of the fragrant tea olive can be used to make soap.
  
• The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Related plant:
Fragrant Viburnum

Growing Steps

1. For fragrant tea olive, first step is to find a location where the plant will receive full sun for at least six hours a day.
   
2. The second step is to dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the plant’s root ball.
   
3. The third step is to mix some organic matter into the soil that you have removed from the hole.
   
4. The fourth step is to mix in a handful of bone meal or other phosphate fertilizer into the planting hole.
   
5. The fifth step is to place the plant in the hole and back fill it with the soil mixture.
   
6. The sixth step is to water the plant well.
   
7. The seventh step is to mulch around the base of the plant with two to three inches of organic matter such as wood chips or shredded leaves.
   
8. The eighth step is to fertilize the plant three times a year with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-
   
9. Step nine is to prune the plant in late winter or early spring to shape it and encourage new growth.
   
10. The final step is to enjoy the fragrant flowers of your tea olive!

Related plant:
Fragrant Shrubs

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, fragrant tea olive (Osmanthus fragrans) does best in humus-rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates a wide range of soils, including those that are poorly drained, but it will not perform well if the roots are waterlogged. For best results, amend the soil with compost or other organic matter prior to planting. Once established, this shrub is tolerant of drought and does not require a lot of supplemental water.

Light condition

Just like other tea olive trees, the fragrant tea olive tree requires full sun in order to thrive. If it does not receive enough sun, the tree will not produce as many flowers, and the flowers that it does produce will not be as fragrant. In order to ensure that your tree gets enough sun, plant it in an area that receives direct sunlight for at least six hours per day.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is most favorable for the growth of the fragrant tea olive is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This shrub is native to China and prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 70%, and it should be misted regularly. The fragrant tea olive (Osmanthus fragrans) is a species of olive native to Asia. It is a hardy, evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow to a height of 15 feet. The plant is prized for its strong, sweet-smelling flowers, which bloom in the fall. The fragrant tea olive is part of the family Oleaceae, which includes other popular ornamentals such as jasmine, lilac, and oleander.

Fertilizing

Mentioning fertilizer, this family of plant also known for its strong root. It is difficult to kill a tea olive tree once it is established. It can be propagated by seed, but it is more commonly propagated by cuttings taken from young, vigorously growing plants.

Light requirement

Pruning your fragrant tea olive is important to keep the plant healthy and looking its best. Tea olives are a type of evergreen, so they need to be pruned in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. When pruning, cut back the tallest stems to encourage new growth and remove any dead or damaged stems. Be sure to wear gloves when pruning, as the stems can be sharp.

About Propagating

Propagation of fragrant tea olive is typically done through rooting of hardwood cuttings taken from the desired plant. Cuttings should be taken from the current season's growth and should be 6-8 inches long. The bottom inch of the cutting should be placed in a rooting hormone before being planted in a well-drained potting mix. The cutting should be kept moist and in a shady location until roots have developed and new growth appears. Once roots have developed and new growth appears, the plant can be transplanted to its desired location.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is between six and twelve inches per year, with some species growing as much as two feet in a single season. The plant's growth is influenced by many factors, including the amount of sunlight it receives, the quality of the soil, and the amount of water available.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are root rots, leaf spots, and twig diebacks. These problems are caused by different fungi and bacteria. Root rots are caused by different fungi, including Phytophthora and Pythium species. Leaf spots are caused by different fungi, including Cercospora and Myrothecium species. Twig diebacks are caused by different bacteria and fungi, including Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas species.

Growing Tips

• Make sure to provide your fragrant tea olive plant with full sun to partial shade.
  
• Keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet.
  
• Apply a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
  
• Prune your plant as needed to keep it looking its best.
  
• Watch for pests and diseases and treat them accordingly.
  
• Bring your plant indoors during the winter months.
  
• Keep the soil evenly moist during the winter.
  
• Apply a balanced fertilizer once a month during the winter.
  
• Place your plant in a sunny spot when bringing it back outdoors in the spring.
  
• Enjoy the sweet, fragrant flowers your plant produces!

Alternative Plants

• Osmanthus fragrans (fragrant tea olive)
  
• Osmanthus heterophyllus (false holly)
  
• Osmanthus stickneyi (Himalayan tea olive)
  
• Osmanthus delavayi (Delavay tea olive)
  
• Osmanthus x fortunei (Fortune’s tea olive)
  
• Osmanthus americanus (Devilwood)
  
• Osmanthus ilicifolius (holly tea olive)
  
• Osmanthus x burkwoodii (Burkwood osmanthus)
  
• Osmanthus akeassii (Akeass’s tea olive)
  
• Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus (Orange osmanthus)

Source:
#174 Fragrant Tea Olive – Shopping - floridamuseum.ufl.edu
Tea Olive | Arboretum | Georgia Institute of Technology - gatech.edu
Evergreen shrub a fragrant winner | CAES Newswire