Tea Olive

About this plant

Osmanthus fragrans, commonly known as Tea Olive, is a truly captivating evergreen shrub renowned for its intensely fragrant white flowers. While the blooms are small and subtle, their powerful, apricot-like perfume is unmistakable, especially in late summer, fall, and sometimes even winter in milder climates. This elegant plant adds a sophisticated touch to any garden, proving that beauty isn't always about bold color. Ideal for planting near walkways, patios, or windows, the Tea Olive ensures its delightful scent can be fully appreciated. Its dense, dark green foliage provides an attractive backdrop for other plants and offers excellent privacy screening or hedging capabilities. Hardy and relatively low-maintenance, this shrub is a fantastic choice for gardeners seeking both visual appeal and an unforgettable olfactory experience. At A Cut Above, we cultivate premium Tea Olives, ensuring robust health and vigorous flowering. Let our expert team help you integrate this fragrant gem into your landscape design, providing you with years of aromatic pleasure and timeless elegance.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Requires minimal pruning, primarily for shaping or to remove any dead or crossing branches. Fertilize in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer. Protect from harsh winter winds in colder zones.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.