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Sweet Olive

Osmanthus Fragrans

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Overview

Sweet Olive (Osmanthus fragrans), an evergreen shrub with a height and spread of 6-30 feet, offers dense, leathery foliage and small, white, highly fragrant blossoms which peak in autumn. Thriving in USDA zones 7-9, they prefer full to partial sun and well-drained soil. Regular pruning maintains size and shape. Ideal as a hedge or specimen plant, it attracts pollinators while providing year-round visual and olfactory appeal in temperate landscapes.

Sun Full, HalfWater MediumZones 8–10Type ShrubClimate Temperate
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — an evergreen shrub with a height and spread of 6-30 feet; regular pruning maintains size and shape
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — Thriving in USDA zones 7-9, they prefer full to partial sun and well-drained soil; when designing with this plantSweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — Ideal as a hedge or specimen plant; or part of a mixed border, image 68Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — When designing with this plant, image 81Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — making it a relatively low-maintenance addition that offers ample rewards; or part of a mixed border, image 59Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — or part of a mixed border, image 74Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — the Sweet Olive possesses a naturally rounded shape that can be enhanced with pruning; when designing with this, image 72+87

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Medium
USDA zones
8–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Shrub
Family
Oleaceae
Climate
Temperate

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Photos (94)

Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — an evergreen shrub with a height and spread of 6-30 feet; regular pruning maintains size and shape
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — Thriving in USDA zones 7-9, they prefer full to partial sun and well-drained soil; when designing with this plant
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — Ideal as a hedge or specimen plant; or part of a mixed border, image 68
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — When designing with this plant, image 81
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — making it a relatively low-maintenance addition that offers ample rewards; or part of a mixed border, image 59
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — or part of a mixed border, image 74
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — the Sweet Olive possesses a naturally rounded shape that can be enhanced with pruning; when designing with this, image 72
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — or part of a mixed border, image 32
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — it provides an extended period of enjoyment.<br><br>Hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9; or part of a mixed border
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — Thriving in USDA zones 7-9, they prefer full to partial sun and well-drained soil
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — It is tolerant of drought once established; regular pruning maintains size and shape, image 58
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — an evergreen shrub with a height and spread of 6-30 feet
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — Thriving in USDA zones 7-9, they prefer full to partial sun and well-drained soil; when designing with this plant, image 66
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — shrub for full or half; when designing with this plant, image 84
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — shrub for full or half; when designing with this plant
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — white flowers in the garden; regular pruning maintains size and shape
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — shrub with white blooms; or part of a mixed border, image 83
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — white flowers in the garden; regular pruning maintains size and shape, image 82
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — When designing with this plant
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — When designing with this plant, image 60
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — making it a relatively low-maintenance addition that offers ample rewards; or part of a mixed border, image 80
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — an evergreen shrub with a height and spread of 6-30 feet; regular pruning maintains size and shape, image 64
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — Regular pruning maintains size and shape
Sweet Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) — they boast an intoxicating scent which is often likened to peaches
Photographs by 9 contributors

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