Fragrant Orange Tea Olive – Osmanthus Fragrans Aurantiacus – 1 Gallon Pot

Fragrant Orange Tea Olive

Osmanthus fragrans aurantiacus

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a–10b  Find Your Zone

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Plant Type:  Evergreen Flowering Shrub or Small Tree

Height at Maturity:  10-15′

Width at Maturity:  6-8′

Spacing:  5-6′ for a solid hedge; 14′ or more for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form:  Bushy, Upright

Growth Rate:  Moderate, Fast

Flower Color:  Bright Orange

Flower Size:  Tiny, 1/8″ in clusters

Flowering Period:  Fall

Flower Type:  Single, in clusters

Fragrant Flowers:  Yes, extremely fragrant!

Foliage Color:  Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage:  No

Berries:  No

Berry Color:  NA

Sun Needs:  Full to Mostly Sun, Morning Sun With Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Afternoon Sun

Water Needs:  Average, Very Low when established

Soil Type:  Clay (Amended), Loam, Sandy, Silty

Soil Moisture / Drainage:  Well Drained Moist to Dry when established

Soil pH:  5.5 – 7.5 (Acid to Slightly Acid)

Maintenance / Care:  Average to Low

Attracts:  Visual Attention

Resistances:  Deer – more info, Disease, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Insect

Description

A cousin of the white-flowering Tea Olive, the Orange Tea Olive produces the same sweetly fragrant flowers but in a wonderful creamy orange color. Due to the presence of carotenoids in the flowers, some say that the Orange Tea Olive has a more pleasant fragrance than the white. We’ve smelled them both. It might be all in our head, but we think the orange does smell a little sweeter, like candy. There are other subtle differences as well. The leaves of the Orange Tea Olive are a little darker green and are larger and longer than those of white.

No need to plant this one near windows as one plant can fill a back or front yard with sweet aroma! That said, of course you can plant one near a window or outdoor living spaces where the fragrance and pretty flowers can be enjoyed from closer up.

The flowers of the Orange Tea Olive are edible and also used in perfumes. In China, they use these flowers to scent black or green teas and also use it in perfumery. You’ll see why when you plant one!

Landscape & Garden Uses

With an upright rounded form 10 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide (depending on pruning), the Orange Tea Olive can be grown as a large shrub or small tree. As a shrub, its dense foliage makes it ideal for use as an evergreen hedge, privacy screen, or background, or to frame corners or fill voids between widely-spaced windows in home foundation plantings. As this tea olive grows taller, which it does rather quickly, lower branches can be removed to form a highly attractive small tree that is ideal for use as a focal point specimen tree in sunny to partially shaded landscape borders and home foundation plantings. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, orange theme gardens and Asian gardens.

Suggested Spacing:  5 to 6 feet apart for a solid hedge;  14 feet or more apart for space between plants

Cultural Preferences

The Orange Tea Olive is very easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. We suggest at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day or all-day lightly filtered sun for best flowering. As with many other plants, a constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic. Exceptionally drought tolerant when established. Over decades, we’ve seen no insect or disease problems and deer won’t touch it.

Note: We list Orange Tea Olive as cold hardy to USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a, where low winter temperatures can but rarely go down to 5 to 10F. That said, we have an Orange Tea Olive in our gardens since 2005 that survived 3F during the winter of 2013 with no problems. Based on this experience, we think the Orange Tea Olive may be cold hardy to Zone 6b, where low winter temperatures can go down to -5 to 0F. That said, if you are in Zone 6b and would like to try growing the Orange Tea Olive year round outdoors, to be on the safe side, we suggest providing protection for young plants when temperatures are forecast to drop below 10 degrees.
SEE: How To Protect Outdoor Plants From Severe Cold Temperatures

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Tea Olive shrubs and trees… 

How To Plant A Tea Olive 

How To Fertilize A Tea Olive

How To Prune Prune A Tea Olive Shrub Or Tree

Plant Long & Prosper!

Questions?  Contact Us

The plant arrived in a well packed box and went straight into a container with no hiccup at all! I was very pleased with the speed of the order and the health and vigor of the plant! The selection is dangerous to my bank account!————————————-Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My tea tree arrived in good condition. No blooms yet Will keep in pot until spring.——————————————————-Thanks for the great review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The plant was received in a well-packaged sturdy box, was secured inside the box, and was damp and well-wrapped. We look forward to the beautiful blooms and fragrance. Thank you.—————————————You’re welcome! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I’m in the process of trying to create a living fence, last fall I added some Apricot Echo tea olives to it. Unfortunately, they didn’t survive the December cold snap. When I saw the Wilson Bros description of these orange tea olives surviving cold temps, I took the plunge and bought 3 of the 1 gallons. They all had 1 branch and were roughly 12-15 inches tall.
They came packed well, we’re still moist when they arrived. I got them in the ground immediately. 3 weeks later they are doing well. I hope they get established well enough before winter and will survive and thrive for me!
I will be ordering from Wilson Bros again!!————————————————Thanks for the photo! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Well packaged. Healthy looking plants. Bought 2 one for each corner of the garage.————————————————Thanks for the photo. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Arrived in good condition, plants were healthy——————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Healthy beautiful plant!! Thanks!!————————————————————————-Thanks so much! Let us know if there’s ever anything we can help you with. 🙂 – Beth | WBG

I haven’t planted it yet but looks very healthy and vibrant. Appreciate the customer service and the passion you have in your chosen profession. I will order again.—————————————————-Thanks so much for the photo! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Arrived very healthy. Planted immediately. Doing fine. Love it so far. If I could have afforded a bigger one, I would have purchased a bigger one, but love the one I have.——————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Lovely green, han’t dropped one leaf, has its pride of place in the ground. Can’t wait for BLOOM TIME!!——————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Orange Tea tree arrived in great shape. The top of one stem was broken, but this is a fall planting. We were able to plant the tree without it even wilting, a major accomplishment here in the central Texas drought. You folks have become our favorite, go-to source for plants this year.————————————————–Sorry about the broken branch. But glad it is thriving. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Orange Tea Olive in great shape. The tip broke off (boo). Good root system. Not root bound,
Happy you mentioned tiny holes from beetles since I noticed that and don’t have to be concerned about it.
I still hate your staples! However, love your plants. Looks like rain soon, so I have a planted hole already dug. My best to your Gardens.———————————————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The Osmanthus plant was very well packaged, there was not even one broken leaf and it looks healthy. I have ordered five different plants from Wilson Bros Gardens and all of them were carefully packaged as well as healthy and beautiful/——————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Plants look great! Two weeks later they are doing great as well. Won’t know how they do in Texas until established and go through a year or two of this extreme weather. They came here very hardy and hopefullly. They will continue!———————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I received all of these plants in great shape. I hope to get one of your eucalyptus trees in the fall!————————————Thanks so much for your review. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can help you with. 🙂 – Beth | WBG

Website and product information very complete. Plants were shipped quickly were well and safely packed and will hopefully thrive.—————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Can’t wait till it blooms, packaging was great no damage.——————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Beautiful full healthy plant in 3 gal. Can’t wait for blooms! In planter near front entry to home…..xoxo—————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Wilson Bros Gardens did a great job in packing & shipping my Fragrant Orange Tea Olive tree. It arrived safely & in really good condition. Wish I had taken pictures of the plant when it arrived but I normally don’t do reviews and didn’t think twice about it until now. My husband has purchased many plants online in the past couple of months and I can honestly say Wilson Bros Gardens has done the best job. My Fragrant Orange Tea Olive tree is doing well. It seems to be a slow grower because my husband has amended the soil with good organic products (kelp, azomite, worm casting, crushed crab shells and organic fertilizer) and it hasn’t grown much, but it looks healthy which is what matters. We are excited to see it grow into the beautiful tree that it is. Thank you Wilson Bros Gardens.————————————-Dont worry it will take off in no time. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

A neighbor has these in white, as a screen, for her backyard. Love the smell. So happy to have an orange one. It arrived well packaged and in great shape.——————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

This tree is replacing a non-hardy tree that succumbed to a February freeze. It is already showing astounding growth. There were no problem with delivery or the product.——————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Flowering shrubs with fragrance are shrubs we have never been able to grow at previous homes. The discovery of so many fragrant Tea Olives from Wilson Bros has made it possible to add color and fragrance throughout long seasons. We love the selections and shipping quality of Wilson Bros and always look to them first when looking for plants for any location or purpose.————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! Thanks for the kind words! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I am very excited to have received this plant. The next day after I put the Orange Tea Olive in the ground there was beautiful new growth.. I am very happy with the shipping and the plant that I received.——————————————-Thanks for the kind words! We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

I’ve bought a bunch of plants several times now, and overall have been extremely happy. The way you ship plants is fantastic, they are all healthy and in excellent condition when I receive them, the selection can’t be beat. Thank-you.—————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I received this order (Fragrant Tea Olive) yesterday and I am always astonished at the size of the plants. It is very gratifying not to receive a small cutting with a few roots like I have received from other companies.
Another thing that keeps me coming back to your website is your prices. I’m retired so it’s nice that you carry plants in the $39.00 range and free shipment. And the plants are so healthy looking and large!
Please keep up the good work.———————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

it is very healthy, but much smaller than what I got from you for one gallon plant——————————We are sorry it’s smaller than you expected, most customers think our one gallons are big for the size of the pot. Always contact customer service, if you are unhappy with a purchase, we can usually resolve any issue you may have…….Have a great day! Beth | WBG

These tea olive plants came very well packaged. box to ground, new growth already and tiny flowers! You have me as a returning orderer. Thank you. —————— WBG Reply: Hi Doree! Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant Orange Tea Olive plants and we hope you enjoy them for years to come. Glad to hear they’re growing well and that you got to see some flowers!
Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

Nice sized 26 inch tall plant that arrived quickly and well packaged.——————————Hi James, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant Orange Tea Olive. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

My orange tea olive arrived well packed. It is planted in the chosen spot and seems to be thriving! Thank you ??————————————-Hi Liz, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant Orange Tea Olive. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Just received my Tea Olive tree. It came well protected in the packaging, and looks very healthy. I transplanted it the other day, and it appears to be handling that trauma well. I’m really pleased with the service and prices from Wilson Brothers.—————————————————-Hi Jana, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant Orange Tea Olive. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Got a white olive tree this spring, and I love it. Like the idea of having an unusual type of evergreen in front of the house during winter, instead of a bare branch tree. Especially since it’s a smaller tree. Decided a nice fragrant orange olive in the back yard would be great. When it arrived, it was healthy and larger than I expected.—————————————-Hi Diane, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant Orange Tea Olive. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

I had a great shopping experience. My plant arrived quickly and was very well packed for shipping. It’s a lovely, healthy specimen, and I will definitely order from this nursery again! ?—————————————-Hi Pat, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant Orange Tea Olive. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

All is well. Packaging was great, healthy plants, moist and now still unplanted because of searing heat. I am tending them diligently and always hopeful. Thanks for the skillful handling from placement of order to delivery as promised. —————————————– Hi Colleen, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant Orange Tea Olive. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

We are very excited about this tree! It is beautiful and healthy! Looks strong and happy in its new home!———————————-Hi Claudia, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant Orange Tea Olive. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Thanks for the great reviews!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

I have bought plants from Wilson Brothers for many years at the retail nursery and I was so sad when they closed the retail store. Skeptical of purchasing plants on line but knowing the quality of plants and Service that Wilson Brothers has always stood for I placed my FIRST order… OUTSTANDING..!! My order was received quickly, the plants were packed with the utmost care and they were healthy, beautiful and NOT damaged in any way… AND Oh Yeah…. there was no dirt in my car..!! I Love Wilson Brothers…———————————————Hi Donna, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant Orange Tea Olive. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks so much for your kind words! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Have ordered from other online shops. The one gallon pot is a great alternative to little 4 in plants. Looking forward to having this bloom. It came in fabulous condition.—————————————————Hi Sherrie, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant Orange Tea Olive. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Beautiful plant, arrived quickly and in great shape. I planted it in a pot and then moved it to the garden later and it is now about 3 ft tall and is doing great cannot wait for blossoms.
Thank you for such a healthy plant.————————————————————–Hi Linda, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant Orange Tea Olive. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

My Tea Olive arrived very well packed, and in good shape. It is a good size and very healthy. I plan on buying more plants from Wilson Bros.————————————-Hi Judy, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant orange Tea Olive. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words. 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Plant looks really healthy.——————————–WBG Reply: Hi Vivian, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Fragrant Orange Tea Olive. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens