If you are interested in having a fragrant, blooming, and stunning plant in your garden, then the Tea Olive is one of the best species that you can add. This glossy-leaved shrub makes for the perfect fragrant flower for your garden and produces tiny white blooms that will add charm and beauty to your landscape. Scientifically known as Osmanthus fragrans, it is also referred to as the sweet olive by people. This particular name is an ode to the sweet scent emitted by this plant.
This guide will make sure that you have enough information regarding the Tea Olive Tree, so that you can easily plant it in your garden or terrace to make your space sweeter and more vibrant.
Overview of the Tea Olive Plant
As a perennial plant, it blooms intermittently all around the year; however, the biggest blooms of the plant will be observed during spring and summer. This evergreen shrub is perfect for the boundaries of your garden, as it grows moderately to 15 feet and has a width of 8-10 feet. A few shrubs can also reach a height of 30 feet when they grow old.
The foliage of a Tea Olive plant is particularly attractive, as it has glossy, deep green leaves that add more charm to the plant. The flowers are powerfully sweet-smelling, as their smell resembles that of ripe apricot. With these tiny, white buds in your garden, your garden will always appear majestic and enthralling.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Grow And Care for A Tea Olive Plant
The plant is highly versatile, and even with regular pruning, it can grow very well. While it can fit well in small spaces, if allowed, it will spread a lot and can cover any empty space that you have in your garden. The plant is also equipped to take any shape that you want, including as a shrub, tree, hedge, screen, or even a privacy planter.
Light
The plant is known to be drought-tolerant, which means you can even plant it in a region that does not receive too much rainfall. It will thrive well in full sun to partial shade, so choose a space that receives complete sunlight for a few hours.
Soil
An olive tree shrub requires well-drained soil that has a neutral to acidic pH. You should not choose a soil that retains too much water, as this will cause root rot.
Water
Do not overwater the plant, as it only requires regular, natural rainfall. Once the plant has been established, you should give it a good amount of water only once a week.
Temperature and Humidity
Since the tea olive is a fan of Southern heat and humidity, it will do well in conditions that are naturally humid. The shrub is not fond of arid conditions and might not grow well in such areas.
Fertilizer
You should not use any additional fertilizer if you have planted the shrub in moist and well-drained soil. It is equipped to grow well without any kind of added fertilizer.
With these basic guidelines, you can make sure that your Tea Olive grows well. You can also look up information on the website Yourhomify to gather more details about the plant.