Fragrant Tea Olive Sweet Osmanthus
Osmanthus fragrans
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Fragrant Tea Olive Sweet Osmanthus - #3 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
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This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
From | To | S&H |
---|---|---|
$0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
$20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
$50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
$70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
$100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
$130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
$150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Fragrant Tea Olive Sweet Osmanthus highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium, Slow
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Fragrant
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring, Fall, Winter

Growing Zones 7-11
Fragrant Tea Olive - A Super Sweet Osmanthus!
Elevate your garden with the enchanting beauty and delightful aroma of the Fragrant Tea Olive (Osmanthus fragrans). Known for its glossy broadleaf evergreen foliage and clusters of creamy, sweetly fragrant flowers, this upright shrub or small tree adds year-round interest to your landscape.
Renowned for its intoxicating scent reminiscent of apricots or ripe peaches, the Fragrant Tea Olive, also known as the Sweet Olive, Sweet Osmanthus, or Fragrant Olive, this ornamental is a must-have for gardeners seeking a touch of elegance and sensory delight.
The heavenly scent is described as rich and sweetly fruity like Apricot or Peach. Others think it smells like a gorgeous cross between Gardenia and Jasmine. It's absolutely covered in blooms in early spring, and sporadically through summer with another flush of blooms in fall. The Fragrant Tea Osmanthus can provide color and scent at a time when other plants aren't blooming.
>>Jump To Azalea Planting and Care Instructions
Key Features of the Fragrant Tea Olive Osmanthus
The Fragrant Tea Olive displays a graceful form. With branches that are held strongly erect, the upright growth habit of this shrub easily brings visual energy to your landscape.
- Incredible Fragrance: Produces small, delicate blooms with a sweet, fruity scent that perfumes your garden.
- Broadleaf Evergreen Foliage: Glossy, deep green leaves provide lush, year-round visual appeal.
- Long Blooming Season: Flowers appear from fall to spring, with sporadic blooming in summer.
- Versatile Growth Habit: Can be pruned as a dense shrub or allowed to grow into a small tree.
- Low Maintenance: Thrives with minimal care and is highly adaptable to different growing conditions.
- Fruit For Birds: Tea Olives get their name from the tiny black fruit that you will hardly notice but the birds will.
- Edible Flowers: Dry the edible flowers to include in green and black tea mixes. The flowers are used in Sweet Cakes, dumplings, soups, and liquors. The flowers are also found in traditional Chinese medicine.
Whether you're looking to create a fragrant hedge, add a specimen plant, or enjoy its aroma on your patio, this plant is an excellent choice.
Landscaping Uses for Fragrant Tea Olive
The Fragrant Tea Olive is an adaptable and versatile plant that enhances any landscape with its beauty and fragrance:
With dark green, finely toothed, vibrantly glossy leaves held densely from the base to the top, the Fragrant Tea Olive makes a wonderful screening plant or soft hedge. It can be used in many ways, including pruned as a magnificent small tree or as a standalone specimen.
- Hedge or Screen: Plant along property lines or fences for privacy and a wall of scent. Use as windbreaks or create a new 'living fence'.
- Specimen Plant: Use as a standout focal point in garden beds or lawn areas.
- Foundation Planting: Add evergreen charm and seasonal flowers near patios, porches, or windows.
- Container Planting: Thrives in large pots, making it ideal for patios or small garden spaces.
- Pathway Accent: Line walkways or entryways with aromatic blooms for a welcoming touch.
- Versatile Form: Grown as a shrub, or limbed up over time into either a multi-trunked or single-trunked tree.
- Ornamental Beauty: An incredible addition to a Zen, Asian, or Meditation Garden.
Planting and Care for the Fragrant Tea Olive
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade, Osmanthus performs well in bright light but appreciates some afternoon shade in hotter climates of USDA zones 7 through 11.
- Soil: Thrives in well-draining, slightly acidic soil enriched with organic matter.
- Watering: Water regularly after planting to establish roots, then provide consistent moisture. Drought-tolerant once established.
- Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and mid-summer to encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms.
- Pruning: Prune lightly to shape and remove dead or damaged branches. Can be trimmed into formal shapes or left natural.
- Hardiness: Suitable for USDA zones 8–11. Protect from frost in cooler climates or grow in containers that can be moved indoors during winter.
Fragrance Fragrance Fragrance!
The Fragrant Tea Olive combines beauty, fragrance, and versatility into one stunning package. Its intoxicating scent and evergreen foliage make it a standout in any garden, while its low-maintenance nature ensures it thrives with minimal effort.
This is a wonderful plant that easily perfumes your landscape. Once you smell those fabulous flowers, we know you will agree that the Sweet Osmanthus, Fragrant Tea Olive is what you need to perfume your landscape! Now at NatureHills.com!
Frequently Asked Questions About Fragrant Tea Olive
How tall does the Fragrant Tea Olive grow?
It can grow 10–15 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide, depending on pruning and growing conditions.
Can it be grown in containers?
Yes! The Fragrant Tea Olive thrives in large containers, making it perfect for patios or smaller spaces.
When does it bloom?
Blooms primarily in fall and spring, with sporadic flowering throughout the year in optimal conditions.
Is it deer-resistant?
Yes, the Fragrant Tea Olive is generally deer-resistant, making it a good choice for gardens in deer-prone areas.
How do I protect it in colder climates?
In USDA zones colder than 8, grow it in a container and bring it indoors during winter or provide frost protection.
Why buy plants from Nature Hills Nursery?
Nature Hills Nursery is committed to bringing the highest-quality plants to your door. Join thousands of happy customers and get all your planting needs at Nature Hills! We guarantee our plants for their first year!