Osmanthus heterophyllus (False Holly)

Osmanthus heterophyllus, also called false holly and holly olive, is a large evergreen shrub noted for its unique foliage; the term heterophyllus refers to the different appearances of the leaves when young (flatter and less spiny) and more mature (curled and sharper tipped). Typically growing to 8-10' tall and slightly more narrow, Osmanthus heterophyllus can occasionally grow to towering heights of up to 20' tall under its ideal conditions, which include acidic, fertile soils and full sun to partial shade, similar to wild conditions in its native range of Taiwan, Japan, and the Korean peninsula.

False holly is uncommon for the nursery trade due to its large size, but this hardy evergreen shrub is low maintenance and provides many of the same beneficial attributes as holly to a garden environment, and even improves upon a couple. Osmanthus heterophyllus produces small, inconspicuous, sweetly fragrant white flowers in the fall, which are a treat for pollinators and gardeners alike when not much else is in bloom -- if flowers are pollinated, blooms will turn to small drupe fruits that will mature to a dark purple or black color over the course of the following year. False holly grows best in moist but well-drained soil, and will tolerate clay, deer, and seasonal drought once established. As an introduced species, glossy, evergreen foliage is nearly pest and disease free, making Osmanthus heterophyllus an excellent choice for large privacy screens, naturalized hedgerows, and Japanese-style gardens

Note: Osmanthus heterophyllus has showed some signs of becoming an invasive species in some areas of the US, including western Maryland and Virginia. Care should be taken with choosing a good planting location for false holly, especially in woodland edge habitats.