Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus

Common Names

Orange Sweet Olive, Fragrant Tea Olive, Tea Olive, Sweet Tea Olive, Sweet Olive, Japanese Orange Osmanthus

Summary

Orange Sweet Olive is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to East Asia, with an upright habit and dense, glossy opposite leaves that stay dark green year-round. It bears clusters of tiny apricot to orange, highly fragrant tubular flowers with four petals fused at the base, blooming in late summer to early fall.

It prefers full sun to morning sun and moist, well-drained soils, is drought-tolerant once established, and is deer resistant; it is hardy in zones 7–10 and well suited for borders, beds, hedges, or screens, providing evergreen structure and fragrance with low maintenance.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

10-12 feet

Spread

6-8 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Loamy, well-draining soil rich in organic matter, pH 5.0-7.5

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Orange

Bloom Time

Fall

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage color

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings