Every fall, a delightful fragrance fills the air here in Athens. Tracking the scent to its source is a challenge. I don’t recall how long I’d lived here before a garden buddy told me it came from tea olives (Osmanthus fragrans).
Tea olives are broad-leaved evergreens that bloom intermittently from fall to early spring. The bushy shrubs grow to 30 feet tall and ten foot across. Clusters of tiny white blossoms are often hidden beneath the foliage. There’s also at least one variety with orange blooms.
I wish I could upload the fragrance for my northern friends. It’s described as reminiscent of peach or orange blossoms with a hint of fresh apricot. Sounds good to me–especially the hint of apricot.
The fragrance is most evident this time of year. Tea olives in the yards of a few neighbors scent the entire neighborhood. The same is true pretty much all over town.
I planted a tea olive shortly after moving in. The shrub has grown well and even bloomed, but the fragrance has been faint or nonresistant. I’ve joked mine was a rare, fragrance-free variety.



This year, my tea olive is blooming like crazy. I suspect the rain from Helene played a role. The wonderful fragrance fills my yard and, when the windows are open, even drifts into my house.
Growing this fragrant shrub north of Athens is a challenge. Tea olives thrive in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 11. Maybe one day, a cold-hardy variety will emerge. Until then, you’re welcome to come sniff mine any time!
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