Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Tricolor' Tricolor false holly
Symbivit Tric (arbuscular)
Symbivit (arbuscular)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.
If you like the features of hollies such as toothed leaves, dense habit, and the fact that they are in leaf all year, you will love this plant: sometimes called false holly, this cultivar has beautifully spotted/varigated leaves which are bright vanilla yellow when young, then turning green with notable creamy blotches on tiny leaves with deep lobing. In particular, this extraordinary foliage makes it more tender than the species and it will need your help with protection in winter.
Last update: 01-01-2007
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.
