Osmanthus heterophyllus 'PURPUREUS' holly osmanthus, false holly

Holly osmanthus or false holly is a taxon of evergreen shrubs and small trees native to East Asia, southern Japan, and Taiwan. Purpureus is a popular variety producing evergreen, leathery, and highly glossy leaves which emerge deep maroon, almost black, and mature to a very dark green shade with maroon hues. Leaves of young plants are margined with spines and resemble hollies but can easily be distinguished: holly leaves are alternate while osmanthus leaves are opposite. The presence and quantity of leaf spines as well as the foliage size may vary with each clone or mother plant from which cuttings were taken, and significantly decreases with age: mature plants have almost entire, camellia-like foliage.

False holly is known for very fragrant flowers which are tiny, sweetly scented, snow-white, and appear in autumn. If pollinated by a male plant they are followed by small, purplish black, non-toxic berries, but that happens rarely.

Purpurea false holly is also popular for its slower growth and more compact habit. It naturally forms upright growing shrubs which grow 20-25 cm per year and become oval with age. The branching is dense and plant size and shape can be easily maintained and shaped by pruning. Spring pruning enhances branching, summer trimming is great for shaping. The twigs and bark are light gray and smooth.

Spine-leaved osmanthus has long been used as a natural barrier against wild animals and cattle. Another significant advantage is that they are long-lived shrubs or trees, and we are not talking about decades but hundreds of years. There are records of specimens whose age was estimated to 950 or more years. In other words, if located in an ideal spot it can be a plant that will be passed on by one generation to another. It looks great as an attractive evergreen specimen shrub or small tree and does a good job as a hedge, too.

Grow osmanthus in moist but well-drained, humus rich, preferably acidic soil. Provide plenty of mulch for winter to protect the roots from fast freezing. It loves full sun but in colder regions find it a location sheltered from late winter and early spring sunlight but with plenty of light during the growing season. Use only plants with mature wood in zone 6 and transplant it no later than late summer in order to avoid frost damage after the first winter. It is trialled hardy to -24 °C (USDA zone 6). It will withstand a few degrees lower with some wood damage but regenerates readily after spring pruning. It does not suffer from diseases, but vine weevil can be a problem.

Last update 17-01-2023