Fragrant Tea Olive 7g Brokered

Garden Treasure: Tea Olive (Osmanthus fragrans)

A timeless Southern classic with a fragrance you’ll never forget

At Wrights Market, we believe a garden should not only look beautiful—but smell beautiful, too. And nothing fills the air with grace quite like the Tea Olive. With its sweet, apricot-like fragrance and glossy evergreen leaves, this cherished shrub is a staple of Southern gardens and front porches, quietly blooming in the background while stealing everyone’s heart.

A Touch of History

Native to Asia, particularly China and Japan, Osmanthus fragrans has been cultivated for centuries for its heavenly scent. In the South, it’s often simply called “Tea Olive,” and it’s long been planted near entryways, garden gates, and walkways—anywhere the breeze can carry its perfume.

It’s the kind of plant that reminds us of warm nights, porch swings, and stories passed down from grandmother to granddaughter.

Where It Grows Best

Tea Olive is a dream in USDA zones 7–10, thriving in our Georgia climate and throughout much of the Southeast. It does best in:

• Full sun to partial shade (a little afternoon shade is welcome in hotter spots)

• Moist, well-drained soil enriched with compost

• Sheltered spots where the scent can be enjoyed (near a patio, window, or walkway)

It can grow 8–10 feet tall, even taller over time, and can be shaped into a hedge, a small tree, or kept as a large shrub.

Plant Care Tips – The Wrights Market Way

Elegant and low-maintenance? That’s the Tea Olive in a nutshell. Here’s how to keep it happy:

• Water regularly during the first year to establish strong roots; once mature, it’s quite drought-tolerant

• Fertilize in early spring with a gentle, slow-release fertilizer to encourage blooms

• Prune lightly after flowering if needed to shape or control size

• Mulch around the base to keep roots cool and tidy

And best of all? Tea Olives bloom in fall and again in early spring, just when your garden needs a little pick-me-up. Their fragrance is soft, never overpowering—like nature’s own perfume, perfectly timed.

Whether you’re creating a front-yard focal point, lining a garden path, or just want a plant that feels like Southern hospitality in bloom, Tea Olive is always the right choice.

Come see us at Wrights Market and let’s find the perfect spot for this graceful garden heirloom.