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Osmanthus heterophyllus 'SASABA' holly osmanthus, false holly
Osmanthus
Osmanthus, called sweet olive in English, takes its name from Greek words osme (fragrance) and anthos (flower). The genus comprises roughly 25–30 species, along with numerous cultivated forms, many of which are often mistaken for hollies because of the shape and firmness of their leaves. Osmanthus reached Europe during the 18th century, when botanical gardens and plant collectors began to focus intensively on woody plants from East Asia. The genus was first scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) in 1753, but the detailed classification of individual species as we know it today is largely the work of later botanists, particularly Japanese and European taxonomists of the 19th century, who were able to study living plants in their native habitats.
Osmanthus plants caught my attention at first sight in 2004, and I became a collector long before I had read about their supposed sensitivity to our climate. You know the saying, “Never say something can’t be done, because someone may come along who doesn’t know that and does it”? I simply planted one after another in my garden and observed how they behaved. They were tested most severely during the harsh winter of 2006/2007, yet not a single plant died. Scorched leaves grew back, frost‑damaged twigs were pruned away, and some specimens are now taller than I am. I have also noticed a remarkable genetic tolerance to drought, although I still need more time to distinguish those that cope well with both summer and winter dryness from those that require watering during winter.
Osmanthus heterophyllus, the holly osmanthus, originates from central and southern Japan (Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu) as well as Taiwan, where it has been regarded as an integral part of everyday life for centuries. It was botanically described by Carl Peter Thunberg (1743–1828), a Swedish botanist who was among the very few Europeans allowed to study Japanese flora on site, and thanks to him the species entered European collections at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. In Japan it was planted near houses, temples and in traditional gardens as a quiet form of protection and a valued evergreen backdrop. Its twigs were used in New Year arrangements and rituals as symbols of strength and endurance, the wood served for small‑scale crafts, and the plant was appreciated for its reliability close to human dwellings.
Sasaba is a cultivar of holly osmanthus that will play with your senses if your visits to a garden centre aim at curiosities and hidden gems. Its leaves are so uniquely shaped that you may wonder for a long time whether you have ever seen anything similar. The only comparison that comes to mind is ivy ‘Sagittifolia’ ivy. The leaves are evergreen, 4–7 cm long, firm to leathery, glossy and very dark green, with conspicuous venation. They are divided in a highly unusual way into three pointed lobes, and on older plants the lobes can be so deeply cut that the leaf gives the impression of three separate, lance‑shaped leaves arranged side by side like a fan.
From mid‑autumn onwards, the plant produces tiny, creamy white, sweetly scented flowers. Flowering is never excessive, rather discreet, but on a calm autumn day the fragrance is clearly perceptible in the immediate vicinity of the shrub and brings genuine pleasure to the garden at the end of the season. The contrast between the hard, spiny foliage and the delicate, almost intimate, fragrant flowering is one of the greatest charms of this cultivar.
‘Sasaba’ forms a naturally compact, densely branched shrub with a strong framework, growing upright to broadly conical and maintaining its shape without the need for pruning. It branches from the base, with short internodes, so it never appears sparse, whether as a young plant or as a mature specimen. The bark of branches and trunks is light, sandy beige, with a subtle texture and deeply furrowed when old. Growth is slow to moderate; in temperate climates it typically adds around 10–20 cm per year, gradually slowing with age. As a result, it retains balanced proportions and a calm silhouette over the long term. At maturity it usually reaches 1.5–2 m in height and approximately 1.2–1.8 m in width, often with a very similar ratio of both dimensions, giving it the character of a stable, architecturally legible garden element.
Historical records of the origin of ‘Sasaba’ are fragmentary. It is considered an older Japanese selection of unknown authorship, most likely arising from the selection of plants with extremely cut leaves, a trait long valued in Japanese garden culture. The name ‘Sasaba’ is commonly interpreted as “bamboo‑grass leaf”, although the actual leaf shape is far more robust and dramatic.
Provide holly osmanthus with a high‑quality soil, ideally slightly acidic, that remains evenly moist but never waterlogged and is rich in nutrients. Generous mulching is recommended to protect the roots from rapid freezing. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade; in cooler regions it benefits from a position sheltered from winter sun, while ample light in summer is advantageous. Planting well‑established, robust specimens is advisable. If leaves are scorched by sun after the first winters, the shrub reliably regenerates in spring and produces fresh foliage. Frost hardiness is very good, down to around −24 °C (USDA zone 6), especially on a sheltered site. It is generally disease-free, but may be attacked by vine weevils, so keep an eye out for them.
Last update 29-01-2026
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- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
