Heaven Sent Fragrant Tea Olive

Heaven Sent Fragrant Tea Olive (Osmanthus delavayi 'Heaven Sent') is a slow-growing, upright evergreen shrub that flowers when little else does. It reaches up to 4m tall, slowly, and about 2m wide, with small deep green leaves and masses of tiny, fragrant, creamy-white flowers from late winter to early spring. It is frost hardy, so it suits colder gardens where tender scented osmanthus struggle.

Why you'll love it

• Scented winter flowers. Late winter to early spring brings a rich, sweet, fruity scent. The flowers are showier than Osmanthus fragrans, if not quite as strongly perfumed.
• Frost hardy. Established plants should come through hard frost, surviving to -15C. Protect young plants.
• Dense evergreen foliage. Deep green leaves sit evenly spaced in pairs along the stems of a bushy, upright shrub.
• Adaptable. It grows in clay, chalk, sand or loam, in full sun or part shade.
• Recognised. It has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Where it works best

Hedging. Plant 1m apart in a single row. It is slow growing, so the hedge takes time to close, but it clips well and stays dense.

Sensory gardens and entries. Site it by a path, gate or window where you can enjoy the winter scent.

Topiary and feature planting. The small leaves and dense habit suit clipped shapes, or leave it as a single upright specimen.

Growing Heaven Sent Fragrant Tea Olive in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and it is the one to choose where the tender Osmanthus fragrans struggles with cold. Protect young plants from hard frost.

Soil. Well-drained soil. It grows in clay, chalk, sand or loam.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. Fertilise with a slow release fertiliser in spring.

Pruning. Prune as required after flowering to maintain shape. Light clipping keeps a hedge neat.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Heaven Sent Fragrant Tea Olive as tube stock only. A tube is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and it is the economical way to plant a hedge, though this shrub is slow growing so patience is part of the deal. Expect a small plant on arrival that builds its upright shape over several seasons.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More fragrant plants
• Most fragrant plants for Australian gardens
• How to create a great hedge and keep it looking sharp
• Plants for topiary and shaping

Common questions

How fast does it grow?

Slowly. It can reach up to 4m, but it takes years to get there. That slow habit makes it easy to keep clipped.

How cold can it get?

Established plants should come through hard frost, surviving to -15C. Protect young plants from hard frost for their first winters.

How strong is the scent?

It has a rich, sweet, fruity fragrance. The flowers are more showy than Osmanthus fragrans but not as highly scented, so site it where you walk past.