Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki' (Variegated False Holly) – Evergreen Shrub (3L Pot)

A slow growing evergreen with spiny, holly like leaves splashed in cream, gold, pink and bronze.

'Goshiki' means five colours, and the name earns itself: new growth opens pink, bronze and cream before settling to deep green speckled with golden cream. The leaves are stiff and spiny edged, so at a glance the plant reads as a variegated holly, but this is the holly leaved osmanthus, Osmanthus heterophyllus. It stays compact at around 1 to 1.5m each way, which suits a border, a low hedge, a container or a courtyard.

Unlike the spring flowering osmanthus, this one flowers in autumn, when small sweetly scented white flowers open among the leaves. Plant in fertile, well drained ground in a sheltered spot; full sun gives the strongest variegation, though it takes partial shade. Water through the first season, then it needs little beyond a light trim in late spring and an annual mulch. It is fully hardy and tolerant of wind and salt once established. Supplied garden ready with a 3L root ball.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Variegated false holly
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 1 to 1.5m tall by 1 to 1.5m wide
• Growth Habit: Compact, bushy, slow growing evergreen
• Perfect For: Borders, containers, low hedging, courtyard and Japanese style gardens
• Foliage: Spiny, holly like leaves, pink, bronze and cream when young, maturing deep green with golden cream markings
• Flowering Time: Autumn, small sweetly scented white flowers
• Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade, sheltered; it takes wind and salt once established and grows well in a container
• Soil Type: Fertile and well drained
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• Maintenance: Low. Light trim in late spring, mulch each year
• Seasonal Interest: Autumn
• Type: Evergreen shrub