Plant Finder

Other Names:  Tea Olive, Olive Holly, Holly-Leaf Osmanthus

Description:

This cultivar is similar in looks to holly, but it's actually related to lilac and privet; interesting blue-green leaves are deeply cut, forming stiff, sharp, triangular lobes; subtle flowers are very fragrant, blooming in fall; more adaptable than holly

Ornamental Features

Sasaba False Holly has attractive bluish-green foliage with light green veins and tinges of buttery yellow on a plant with an oval habit of growth. The deeply cut pointy leaves are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter. It features subtle fragrant white flowers along the branches in mid fall. The smooth khaki (brownish-green) bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Sasaba False Holly is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a shapely oval form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spiny

Sasaba False Holly is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Sasaba False Holly will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.