Skip to content

False Holly

Osmanthus Heterophyllus

Design with this plant

Overview

False Holly (Osmanthus heterophyllus) is an evergreen shrub noted for its spiny, holly-like leaves. Thriving in USDA zones 7-9, it reaches 6-10 feet in height with a 4-6 feet spread. Fragrant white flowers bloom in fall, adding sensory appeal. This low-maintenance plant prefers partial to full sun and well-drained soil. Its dense growth habit makes it an excellent choice for hedges or privacy screens in landscape designs.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater MediumZones 7–9

Culture

Sun
Full, Half, Shade
Water
Medium
USDA zones
7–9

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Oleaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (23)

False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — False Holly (Osmanthus heterophyllus) is an evergreen shrub noted for its spiny, holly-like leaves
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — Thriving in USDA zones 7-9, it reaches 6-10 feet in height with a 4-6 feet spread
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — Fragrant white flowers bloom in fall, adding sensory appeal
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — This low-maintenance plant prefers partial to full sun and well-drained soil
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — Its dense growth habit makes it an excellent choice for hedges or privacy screens in landscape designs
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — making it a versatile choice for landscape designs
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — It is commonly referred to as False Holly due to its holly-like leaves
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — which feature a leathery texture and can either be spiny or smooth-edged
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — Its mature size typically ranges from 8 to 10 feet in height and spreads approximately 6 to 8 feet wide
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — It performs best when planted in partial shade to full sun
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — offering adaptability for different garden exposures
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — The shrub requires minimal watering once established
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — making it drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.<br><br>In the fall
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — white flowers which can be a delight to the senses
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — The blooms may be inconspicuous but their sweet scent adds a layer of sensory enjoyment to the garden
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — blue-black berries that can attract birds
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — providing ecological benefits and winter interest.<br><br>Given its dense foliage and growth habit
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — Osmanthus heterophyllus is an excellent choice for hedges
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — adding structured greenery throughout the year
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — Clients should be aware that the pointed leaves can be sharp
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — so consider placement in the garden where this won't be an issue for passersby
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — white flowers in the garden
False Holly (Osmanthus Heterophyllus) — shrub with white blooms

Related plants