Carolina Garden: Tea Olive

While Tea Olives aren’t the most attractive shrubs, and their blooms are less than impressive, you owe it to yourself to plant one in an out of the way spot. Also known as the Sweet Olive, this Asian import is most loved for it’s sweet fragrance. The fragrance is also the reason for it’s Latin name, Osmanthus fragrans. The blooms of the Tea Olive are easily overlooked, but the fragrance they produce will turn heads. If you spend time outside, I recommend planting one near your patio or deck. If you have a window you like to keep open in the spring, plant an olive nearby to let the fragrance drift into your home. This is a top pick for your Carolina Garden.