Great Plant Pick: Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Variegatus’

Published 1:30 am Saturday, February 9, 2019

What: Osmanthus heterophyllus “Variegatus,” aka variegated false holly, is an extremely tough, strikingly beautiful evergreen shrub. The bright cream-edged foliage holds up well in sun or shade. Use it to brighten a shady corner, or set it against a background of dark evergreens. It makes a colorful informal hedge and can also be kept in a large container for many years. Once it is well established it will produce tiny — but powerfully fragrant — flowers in fall. The heavy perfume carries well, even on the cool autumn air. False hollies respond well to pruning and can make a dense and impenetrable hedge. If allowed to grow naturally, mature specimens develop into elegant, small, multistemmed trees.

Where: False holly is very easy to grow in full sun to deep shade, although it will flower less in more shade. It prefers well-drained soil, but will tolerate sand and clay.

Size: “Variegatus” grows to be 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide when mature.

Care: It is drought tolerant once established, but would appreciate occasional watering during dry weather, especially if in a sandy site. It can grow openly while it is young, particularly if it is in shade. Light pruning can help keep this shrub dense in youth.

— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks