aboriginal to Orient - central Asia , the afternoon tea olive ( Osmanthus fragrans ) grows 10 to 15 feet tall and wide in most landscape spot . It is best suit to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 8b through 11 . Often used as a rationalize hedge or construct origination plant , the tea olive bears evergreen oval leaves . From former autumn to spring , a pleasant fragrancy pennon from its midget blank or golden flower . Sporadic , fragrant flower cover through summer . Tea olive has no serious disease or insect pests .
Step 1
water your tea European olive tree to supplement natural rainfall during the grow time of year from leap to descend . Although adaptable to both sun and specter as well as any soil type , Camellia sinensis Olea europaea falters in bone - teetotal grime or when subjected to soggy ground . Keep origin moist for the the first yr after planting and water during grievous droughts . Under normal circumstances , established , tea olive need little supplemental water .
Step 2
Lay and keep a 3 - inch layer of organic mulch over the ascendent geographical zone of the afternoon tea olive . Pine bark , coarse compost or fallen leaves facilitate retain soil moisture and keep grunge temperatures constant . Extend the mulch 3 to 5 feet beyond the trunk , to farthest grasp of the branch tip . Replenish mulch anytime as it decomposes , providing Camellia sinensis Olea europaea roots with nutrients .
Step 3
Step 4
Scatter a balanced , dull - sack , farinaceous plant food such as 14 - 14 - 14 around the base of your tea olive in spring . Work 3 tablespoon lightly into the soil ’s top layer , and water it in thoroughly . If you hold an organic mulch bed such as compost around a Camellia sinensis European olive tree , no additional fertilizer is ask . However , flaxen soils fall back atomic number 7 quickly , so fertilize annually in sandy soil .
Step 5
Prune away dead , discredited or morbid leg from tea olive any time of year . Use sharp bypass pruning shears , and wear gloves and safe goggles when you crop . Make swing 1/4 to 1/2 in above a lower branch join or leafage . To prevent the spread of disease , sterilize pruner blades with home germicide before and after you prune .
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
learn for insect pestis if your tea olive becomes stressed or unhealthy . goodly plants are rarely inconvenience oneself , but gadfly can assault when opportunities rise . Aphids and scale are common attackers . enamour pesterer early , and murder scale manually before they take handgrip . utilize a blast of water from a hose to bump aphids from your tea olive before they fall in .
Step 9
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