Chinese Holly
Osmanthus heterophyllus (oz-MAN-thus het-er-oh-FILL-us)
False holly is a broadleaf, evergreen shrub with a dense habit in the olive family (Oleaceae). It is native to Taiwan, Japan and the Korean peninsula. This plant is prized for its foliage and its small but highly fragrant flowers. The scientific name comes from the Greek words for fragrant ( osme ) and flower ( anthos ). The specific epithet, heterophyllus , is from the Greek hetero, meaning diverse, and phyllus meaning leaf. False holly prefers partial shade to full sun in moist, well-drained, acidic soils. It tolerates alkaline soils, pollution, drought, heat, and urban conditions. It has a slow growth rate and withstands heavy pruning. When pruning, keep in mind that next season's blossoms will appear on old (this year’s) growth. Pruning may diminish next year’s floral display. It is easily transplanted and is resistant to damage by deer. False Holly is a large, dense, upright, oval-rounded evergreen shrub or small tree. It blooms in the late fall into winter and has inconspicuous flowers that are pungently sweet. Fruit ripens the year after it is produced, but it is rarely seen in cultivation and is not showy. The deep dark green leaves have entire margins in the upper part of the plant (adult morphology), while those in the lower part tend to be toothed (juvenile morphology). False holly's leaves have an opposite arrangement whereas the leaves of true holly ( Ilex spp.) are alternate. False holly is one of the parents of Fortune’s osmanthus ( Osmanthus x fortunei ), but Fortune’s osmanthus has broader and larger leaves with more numerous and evenly spaced spines. This plant is used in hedges, screens, barriers, or as a specimen plant. False Holly is an underused shrub in the landscape and offers fall interest and is a holly alternative. Due to its size, it would be best to avoid using this shrub as a foundation planting; however, smaller cultivars are available. Quick ID Hints: Leaves are opposite, decussate, narrow, elliptic, and evergreen Both entire leaves and leaves with 1 to 4 spiny teeth Very fragrant, white, inconspicuous axillary fall flowers Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: False Holly has no serious pest or disease problems, Observe for scale and aphids. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy, and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 64 attributes.
How it fits the guild