Holly Olive | Osmanthus aquifolium
Like true holly but fragrant!
Grown by Mike
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Plant in a 10L Pot
90-110cm inc. pot on arrival
Choose your size
In stock
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Plant diary
- Flower
- Harvest
Holly Olive
Osmanthus aquifolium
- While it might be called the holly olive, Osmanthus aquifolium isn't a real holly (Ilex) but arguably even better!
- Its spiny evergreen leaves are where the plant gets it namesake, but unlike the flowers of true holly, holly olive blooms radiate a lovely fragrance.
- Alongside the fabulous foliage and flowers, this large shrub also bears attractive dark blue berries in the autumn months.
- Growing to around five metres or so, though you can prune it smaller, holly olive works brilliantly as a feature standalone shrub or as part of a larger hedge.
- This plant makes a lovely addition to woodland gardens, alongside the likes of ferns, hellebores and heucheras.
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, the Holly Olive can be grown in a pot, provided it has adequate drainage and a container at least 40 cm wide.
How big does it get?
The Holly Olive typically reaches a mature height of 1.5 to 2.5 metres and a spread of 1.5 to 2.5 metres.
How much sunlight does this need?
The Holly Olive performs best in full sun to partial shade, adapting well to most typical garden environments.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
The Holly Olive is versatile and will grow well in most soil types, provided they are relatively well-drained.
How much watering does this plant need?
The Holly Olive needs deep watering of about 25 to 50 millimetres per week during its establishment phase, after which it becomes more drought-tolerant.
Will this plant need pruning?
The Holly Olive does not strictly need pruning, but can be lightly trimmed to maintain its shape and remove any dead or damaged wood.
How hardy is this plant?
Osmanthus aquifolium is fully hardy with an RHS rating of H6, tolerating temperatures down to -20°C and performing reliably across the entire UK.
The wider garden
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Meet Mike
Tree-growing skills honed right across the globe
Having started out in Australia, studied in Northern Ireland and volunteered at an organic farm in Sweden, it’s fair to say Mike’s done his fair share of travel on his horticultural journey, so far! Having happily laid down roots here at Roots, Mike is the don behind our tree-growing operation, imparting each and every one of his globally-honed skills to benefit your garden. Grown in our purpose-built nursery, in the ideal climatic conditions of the fertile Vale of Evesham, we’re proud to supply only the happiest, healthiest and hardiest trees.
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