Round Leaf Tea Olive
Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Rotundifolius‘
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-9b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub
Height at Maturity: 5-8′ depending on pruning
Width at Maturity: 5-8′ depending on pruning
Spacing: 4-4.5′ for solid hedges; 10′ or more for space between plants
Flower Color: White
Flower Size: Small, in clusters
Flowering Period: Mid to Late Fall
Flower Type: Single in small clusters
Fragrant Flowers: Yes
Foliage Color: Dark Green
Fragrant Foliage: No
Berries: No
Berry Color: NA
Sun Needs: Full Sun or Shade, in hot summer climates it might appreciate some shade or filtered sun in the midafternoon
Water Needs: Average, Low when established
Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained; moderate drought tolerance when established
Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5 (Moderately Acid to Slightly Alkaline)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Deer – more info, Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity, Insect
Description
An interesting and uncommon cultivar, the Round Leaf Tea olive, Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Rotundifolius’, makes a stunning dense mound of deep green to about 6 feet tall and equally as wide. It features round, spineless, wavy leaves 1.5 inches long and a half inch or so wide. In mid to late fall through early winter it produces abundant clusters of tiny white flowers that pack a punch of fragrance. The reason you won’t find this cultivar readily available from many plant growers is that the plant is notoriously difficult to propagate. But once rooted the plants are very hardy, easy to grow, and low maintenance after planting in the landscape. The Round Leaf Tea Olive is one of the few shrubs that will grow in full sun or shade. In design, it is often used as a specimen in smaller garden spaces or in groupings or as a natural or clipped hedge where space allows. We suggest planting it near outdoor sitting and living spaces where the fragrance can be enjoyed from close up. This evergreen flowering beauty is a must for the gardener that enjoys unique and unusual plants that please the senses.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Slowly growing 5 to 8 feet tall and equally wide depending on pruning, the Round Leaf Tea Olive is ideal for use as a specimen in smaller garden spaces or groupings or as an informal or shaped hedge in sunny or shady landscape borders and home foundation plantings.. Also performs exceptionally well in pots, planters and other containers. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, white theme gardens, holly or osmanthus gardens and Asian gardens.
Suggested Spacing: 4 to 4.5 feet apart for solid hedges; 10 feet or more apart for space between plants.
Growing Preferences
Round Leaf Tea Olive is easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility and full sun or shade. In hot-summer climates it will appreciate some shade or filtered sun during the mid-afternoon hours. Maintenance is minimal; requiring little if any pruning to keep its dense, rounded form. It’s also disease, fungus, and pest resistant. Constantly soggy or wet soils can be problematic. Just make sure to plant it in a well-drained site.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Osmanthus and False Holly shrubs.
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!
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