Osmanthus decorus
Ornamental tea olive
Also known as Phillyrea decorus
- Height × spread
- 3m × 3.5m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This distinctive, evergreen, dome-shaped bush has large glossy leaves, somewhat lance-shaped and smooth with a yellow central vein. Small fragrant flowers are produced in clusters in spring and are followed by purple-black fruits like miniature plums. In the wild it is found growing in forests on the sides of gorges. You could grow this plant as a low key specimen, clipped to ensure it achieves a formal dome shape, on a lawn or in a pair on either side of an entrance.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Black, Purple
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, floral-jasmine
- Shape
- Round
- Height
- 3m
- Spread
- 3.5m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural, Bird attraction
- Walls
- East, West facing
- Deer
- May be nibbled by deer in winter
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
More Osmanthus
Osmanthus delavayi
Delavay tea olive
Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki'
Holly olive, False holly, Holly tea olive
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Burkwood's sweet olive
Osmanthus
Devil's wood, Sweet olive, Chinese holly
Osmanthus armatus
Armed devil's wood
Osmanthus heterophyllus
Holly olive, False holly, Holly tea olive
Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Aureomarginatus'
Holly olive, False holly, Holly tea olive
Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Gulftide'
Holly olive, False holly, Holly tea olive