Growing Osmanthus heterophyllus (False Holly): A Comprehensive Guide
Also known as Holly Osmanthus, Holly Tea Olive, Mock Holly, Japanese False Holly, Holly Leaf Osmanthus
The Osmanthus heterophyllus, better known as False Holly, (other names include Holly Osmanthus, Holly Tea Olive, Mock Holly, Japanese False Holly, Holly Leaf Osmanthus), is a look-alike to the well-known Ilex (English Holly) – a winter favourite for Christmas decorations. False holly has a similarly bold and spiny leaf texture as the English holly but without the invasive and aggressive root growth. It is native to Japan and Taiwan.
False holly is a sturdy, dense evergreen plant suitable for a shrub border, as a privacy hedging or screening. It is beautiful as a specimen or planted in a container for a small garden and pairs well with spring bulbs or contrasting evergreens. It tolerates coastal conditions, urban pollution, and mild drought once established.
Though similar to the English holly, skimmia and aucuba, the false holly is a dioecious plant. This means a male plant is needed to pollinate the female to produce berries. The small fragrant white flowers are not prominent and bloom in autumn. The sparse purple-black fruit look like olive berries. False holly is generally non-toxic to humans and pets but the berries are not edible. False hollies do not set fruit in cultivation. It is mostly grown for its attractive foliage.
Some have called the false holly, ‘fake holly’. While it has similar attributes as the true holly, using the word ‘fake’ implies it is inferior. Nothing is further from the truth. False holly is an attractive, elegant, easy care and non invasive shrub that never fails to impressive, especially the Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’. See below for recommended false holly varieties.
The comprehensive guide below will help on how to grow, care and prune your false holly.
False Holly At A Glance
Type: Broadleaf Evergreen Shrub
Location: Full Sun / Partial Shade
Seasonal Interest: Year-Round Foliage, Late Summer / Autumn Flowers
When To Prune: Late winter/spring (see pruning details below)
Size: Varies 3-6 metres (10-20 ft) tall
Plant Hardiness Zones: 7, 8, 9 (planted in zone 6 will need winter protection)
Where To Plant And How To Grow False Holly
False hollies are low maintenance, adaptable and easy to grow in most conditions, such as urban pollution and coastal areas. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soil in sunny to partially sunny locations. A sunny east-facing or sunny west-facing location that receives a little shade in the afternoon is perfect. Afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch in the heat of summer. If planted in full shade, the false holly will grow but foliage colour contrast will be reduced.
False holly is an acid-loving plant but can tolerate most soil types. Amend alkaline soils with organic matter. It thrives in well-draining, loamy soil and will not flourish being in constantly wet soil year round.
For colder regions (zones 6 or 7), the false holly is best planted in a protected, sheltered location away from cold winter winds. Planted next to the house and under an overhang will provide some insulation and protect the shoots from damage caused by severe winter weather.
False holly does not have an aggressive root system as the true holly shrub. It can be planted next to a window so the fragrant scent from the flowers can be enjoyed indoors too.
False holly can be used successfully in container gardening, as it is easy to contain to the size you need. However, in colder regions (zones 6 or 7), the false holly planted in a garden pot will also need some protection. As it sits above ground, this exposes the roots to any severe cold weather.
Propagation is fairly easy from semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.
When To Plant And How To Care For False Holly
Plant in spring or autumn and water regularly during its first growing season.
Once established, false holly is somewhat drought tolerant, but it is best to water deeply once a week during the hot summer months. Avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot.
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer and mulch lightly in spring before the growing season starts. Avoid over fertilizing to prevent leggy growth.
When And How To Prune False Holly
False holly does not generally need regular pruning, though it responds well to hard pruning if required and it is very suitable for hedging.
It is a slow-growing shrub with a natural upright oval habit. Any trimming or reshaping should be done late winter or spring before new growth. It is okay to prune in summer too but depending on how much you are taking off, it may remove the flower buds that are forming for the following year. Prune after fall blooming if flowers are a priority.
In spring, check and remove damaged limbs or diseased branches, and thin for airflow. Consider pruning any vigorous shoots in a young false holly to keep an evenly portioned shape. Balance the growth by cutting back the vigorous shoots about halfway to a healthy bud or side shoot.
Keep in mind that false holly is a slow grower, and you should only expect about 5-10 cm (2-4 in) of growth in a year. Once the false holly matures, the growth rate may slow down even more, making it a perfect low maintenance plant for a garden bed.
When pruning, use thorn-proof gloves – though this is only really needed for protection against the older leaves and any hard pruning. The younger foliage is relatively soft and gloves may not be needed.
Pests And Diseases That Affect False Holly
This shrub is deer resistant and, for the most part, false holly is trouble-free of pests and diseases if planted correctly. If scale, aphids, spider mites do affect your false holly, treat with neem oil (if available) or insecticidal soap. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot, and improved airflow and restrict overhead watering to prevent leaf spot.
Tools Needed For Pruning False Holly
Below is the list of essential tools needed to prune false holly. These shrubs benefit for pruning to develop a bushy and well-balanced form.
- Pruners – A must have for removing any dead thin stems from the false holly.
- Long-handled Loppers – This will make pruning your false holly easier for taller shrubs.
- Pruning Saw – Saws are useful for thick stems that are growing close together, especially when removing thick stems from a mature false holly.
- Shears – You will need a standard pair of shears if you grow your false holly as an evergreen hedge or topiaries.
- Thorn-proof Gloves – This is optional as regular garden gloves work for false holly too. The young false holly leaves are not as prickly as the regular holly bush. Though you may find the long forearm protection with thorn-proof gloves makes the pruning job more comfortable.
Buyer's Guide To Hand Pruners (Pruning Shears, Secateurs)
RELATED TOPIC: Buyer’s Guide How To Choose A Pruning Saw (Garden Handsaw)
False Holly Recommendations
The false holly is a versatile shrub offering year-round interest with
minimal care. Ideal for structured gardens or naturalistic designs. Following are some of the most beautiful varieties:
O. heterophyllus ‘Goshiki’ False Holly: ‘Goshiki’ means five colours in Japanese. The variegated holly-like foliage is attractive with its multiple shades of cream, green, pink, orange, and yellow adds year-round interest. It is hardy and adaptable and grows to about 2.5 m (8 ft) tall.
O. heterophyllus ‘Party Lights’ False Holly: The dark green foliage of the ‘Party Lights’ is a stable colour that sets a contrast for the new leaf growth that emerges as pink and cream at the end of each stem in spring. Perfect as a specimen plant for a spring garden. It grows to about 1.5 m (5 ft) tall.
O. heterophyllus ‘Gulftide’ False Holly: The ‘Gulftide’ is recommended as a screen or for hedging. It is dense and one of the hardiest varieties. The flossy foliage is deep green. It grows to about 2m (6 ft) and prunes easily for hedging or in an outdoor planter.
O. heterophyllus ‘Kembu’ False Holly: The foliage of the ‘Kembu’ is narrower. The green leaf has a cream edging. It generally has fewer spines on its leaves than other false hollies and seems to be slow-growing. The Kembu false holly grows to about 1.5 m (5 ft) tall. ‘Kembu’ means sword dance in Japanese.
