Holly Osmanthus Holly-leaf Osmanthus

Osmanthus heterophyllus (Oleaceae) is a dense, upright broadleaf evergreen shrub or small tree native to the evergreen forests of Japan. It grows 5 to 8 feet in cultivation (up to 20 feet in the wild), reaching about 15 feet at 20 years. The foliage is distinctively variable: juvenile leaves (lower branches) are holly-like with spiny teeth, while adult leaves (upper branches) are entire, simple, and elliptic (4 to 6 cm), all glossy dark green. Small white, fragrant flowers (6 mm) appear in autumn.

Holly osmanthus grows in sun to part shade on fertile, moist, well-drained, acidic soil. It tolerates wet and somewhat anaerobic conditions. Growth rate is moderate. Cultivars offer diverse foliage effects: 'Goshiki' (pinkish-bronze new growth, gold and cream mottled), 'Gulftide' (10 to 15 feet, glossy dark leaves), 'Ogon' (bright yellow new growth), 'Rotundifolius' (dwarf, 8 feet, spineless), and 'Sasaba' (3 feet, deeply cut leaves). Documented problems include Phytophthora leaf and twig blight, red leaf spotting, and several scale insects. It blooms on old wood. Hardy in Zones 6a to 8b.