Fragrant tea olive (Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus 'Orange Supreme')

Overview

The Osmanthus fragrans f. Aurantiacus ‘Orange Supreme’, commonly known as Fragrant tea olive, offers gardeners a truly remarkable sensory experience. This broadleaf evergreen is highly valued not for its showy flowers, but for the intensely powerful, apricot fragrance emanating from its clusters of orange blooms in spring. It is a versatile plant, capable of maturing into a small tree or remaining dense as a large shrub.

As a robust evergreen, Fragrant tea olive provides year-round structure and glossy green foliage to the landscape. Its adaptability in warm winter climates makes it a reliable performer in USDA Zones 8b through 11. Gardeners appreciate the low-effort reward this cultivar offers once established.

When strategically placed near patios or entryways, the powerful scent of Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus ‘Orange Supreme’ can perfume an entire area. Whether used as a screen, an accent specimen, or trained as an espalier, this plant delivers both beauty and intoxicating aroma.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Oleaceae
• Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-11
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 10-15 ft
  • Spread: 10-15 ft
• Bloom Time: April
• Bloom Description: Orange
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

Planting should occur when the threat of hard frost has passed, allowing the root systems of the Fragrant tea olive to establish during the primary growing season. While it tolerates heavy clay soils, ensure the location offers average, consistently moist, and well-drained conditions for the best results. Site the plant where it receives full sun, but gardeners in hotter summer regions should plan for afternoon shade to prevent scorching.

Watering requirements are moderate; maintain consistent moisture, especially while the shrub or tree is young. Once established, Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus ‘Orange Supreme’ exhibits good drought tolerance. Routine fertilization is generally not required if the soil is adequate, but modest feedings can encourage denser growth.

For shaping, clip the growing tips to encourage a more compact, bushy habit. This plant is very winter hardy, surviving down to about 10°F. If growing Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus ‘Orange Supreme’ outside of Zone 8, it must be cultivated in containers suitable for overwintering indoors in bright, cooler locations.

Landscape Uses

The versatility of the Fragrant tea olive makes it a staple in layered landscaping designs. Use it as a foundational large shrub tucked against the house or train it into an attractive small flowering tree near seating areas to maximize fragrance exposure. Its evergreen nature lends itself perfectly to forming dense screens or hedges, offering privacy throughout the year.

For patios and decks in borderline climates, growing Osmanthus fragrans f. Aurantiacus ‘Orange Supreme’ in large containers offers flexibility. This allows the gardener to move the highly aromatic plant closer to outdoor living spaces during peak bloom or move it indoors during winter dormancy periods.

Consider pairing this shrub with plants that offer contrasting leaf textures or winter interest, ensuring that the garden remains visually engaging even when the tea olive is not in full orange bloom. Its upright structure also works well when espaliered against a sunny wall.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Fragrant

Noteworthy Characteristics

Osmanthus fragrans, commonly called fragrant olive, sweet olive or sweet tea, produces clusters of not particularly showy flowers that have an extremely powerful apricot fragrance. It is a small, upright, evergreen tree or large shrub that will typically grow to 10-15’ tall in cultivation, but may reach 20-30’ tall in its native habitat in Asia (Himalayas, China and Japan). The plant has very fragrant flower; in China, flowers are sometimes added to teas, and the specific cultivar ‘Orange Supreme’ features distinct orange flowers.

Tolerances

No specific tolerances were listed in the data fields.

Potential Problems

Gardeners should vigilantly monitor the foliage of their Fragrant tea olive for common woody plant pests. Specifically, look out for scale insects, which often settle on stems and undersides of leaves, hindering nutrient flow. Aphids are another potential nuisance that may appear, especially on new growth flush in the spring.

Management usually involves horticultural oil treatments applied when pests are first noticed or during winter dormancy for scale control. Maintaining good air circulation around the shrub can help minimize fungal issues, though Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus ‘Orange Supreme’ is generally regarded as tough once established.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Fragrant tea olive suitable for?

Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus ‘Orange Supreme’ is winter hardy and generally considered suitable for ground planting in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 11.

How large does Fragrant tea olive grow?

It typically reaches a height and spread between 10 and 15 feet tall and wide in cultivation, though it can grow considerably larger in its native Asian habitat.

What sun exposure does Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus ‘Orange Supreme’ need?

This plant thrives best when situated in locations receiving full sun to partial shade. In very hot climates, providing afternoon shade is highly beneficial.

When does Fragrant tea olive bloom?

The primary bloom time for this cultivar is noted as April, producing blossoms described as orange.

Conclusion

The intense, sweet fragrance and lush evergreen structure confirm the high value of Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus ‘Orange Supreme’ in warm-climate gardens. Offering flexible use as a specimen, screen, or container plant, this Fragrant tea olive provides reliable structure and seasonal olfactory rewards. Before planting, ensure your garden resides within USDA Zones 8-11 or prepare suitable overwintering plans for cold protection.

Companion Planting

Given the sun and medium water needs of the Fragrant tea olive, companion plants should share similar cultural requirements for successful cohabitation. Consider planting lower-growing, shade-tolerant groundcovers near the base in areas where afternoon shade is provided, such as varieties of creeping thyme or Ajuga, which can help keep the soil surface cool and evenly moist.

In full sun locations, pair the mature 10-15 ft spread of Osmanthus fragrans f. Aurantiacus ‘Orange Supreme’ with other medium-sized mid-story shrubs that bloom at different times. Plants like Camellias or large evergreen Azaleas work well, offering flower interest in winter or early spring before the intoxicating orange blooms of the tea olive appear.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Spring is the critical season for enjoying the Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus ‘Orange Supreme’, as this is when April blooms occur, though sporadic flowering can happen later. Use this time for any light pruning to shape the plant or encourage bushiness by tipping back new growth. Inspect closely for early signs of aphids or scale activity.

During the summer heat, focus strictly on maintaining consistent, medium moisture levels, especially for newly planted specimens. Resume minor clipping or shaping tasks as needed during the summer lull, ensuring any significant pruning is completed well before the first expected fall frost to allow cuts to harden off.

Design Ideas

The upright, dense habit makes Osmanthus fragrans f. Aurantiacus ‘Orange Supreme’ an excellent element for formal hedging or as a backdrop shrub to shorter perennial plantings. Because of its incredible fragrance, placing it near paths, doorways, or outdoor entertaining areas is highly recommended so the powerful apricot scent can be easily captured by the breeze.

Consider training your specimen using simple stakes or wires to achieve a formal espalier against a warm wall. This technique maximizes sun exposure, enhances the plant’s architectural shape, and contains its 10-15 foot spread effectively in tighter garden spaces.