Once established, it is an extremely long-lived plant.
Certain varieties may show some leaf discoloration in full sun.
Generally, four to five hours of direct sun will ensure the heaviest flowering.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
If the soil is too alkaline, useamendments to acidify it.
Avoid planting sites with soil that is too wet or perpetually soggy, as this may cause root rot.
Newly planted shrubs should be regularly watered for at least the first growing season.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
But it suffers damage if temperatures fall too quickly from warm conditions to temperatures below freezing.
The shrub can be trained as a small tree, shrub, or espalier or used in hedges.
Most tea olives are pruned at the end of winter or early spring before the new growth begins.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
americanus, which should be pruned immediately after the bloom.
confirm the container has excellent drainage and use drainage material such as gravel to line the bottom.
Use an all-purpose houseplant potting mix.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
As the shrub outgrows its pot, repot it as needed to a larger pot with fresh potting mix.
Young shrubs may benefit from a cage of hardware cloth to protect them against hungry wildlife.
Treatment consists of horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
Drought-stressed plants are susceptible to Botryosphaeria canker.
Cercospora leaf spot and anthracnose may occasionally occur.
Phytophthora and Pythium root rots sometimes occur in poorly drained or excessively wet soil.
The principal bloom period is fall but some varieties bloom in the spring and summer.
How Long Does Tea Olive Bloom?
What Do Tea Olive Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The small flowers grow in large, showy clusters.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Several factors contribute to tea olive shrubs blooming successfully.
Common Problems With Tea Olive
One common issue with tea olives is leaf drop.
It most often occurs with potted plants grown indoors, but it’s also possible with outdoor garden plants.
With proper care, they live between 25 and 50 years.
A shrub that loses its leaves indicates there is a problem.
While tea olives can survive chilly winter weather, they are easily damaged by cold.
As its name suggests,Osmathus fragransis thought to be the most fragrant tea olive.
