Gulftide Holly Olive

15 Gallon

$169.90

1/5

Gulftide Holly Olive

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Gulftide'

A tough, variegated evergreen with fragrant winter flowers, ideal for security and seaside hedges.

$169.90

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Gulftide Holly Olive is a tough, compact hybrid with the spiny, holly-like leaves of Osmanthus heterophyllus and the wonderful fragrance of Sweet Olive. Its small, glossy green leaves are edged with golden-yellow variegation and sharp spines, making it an excellent deterrent hedge. In late fall to early winter, it produces clusters of small, highly fragrant white flowers. Exceptionally resistant to pests, diseases, deer, and even fire, it is a superb, low-maintenance choice for a security hedge, foundation planting, or seaside garden.

Fragrant Winter Blooms: Flowers in late fall to early winter with small, white, sweetly fragrant blooms, providing scent during the cooler months.
Variegated Holly-Like Foliage: Features small, spiny, glossy green leaves with bright golden-yellow margins, offering year-round color and texture.
Excellent Security & Firewise Hedge: Its dense, spiny growth creates an effective, impenetrable barrier that is also recognized for fire resistance.
Extremely Tough & Adaptable: Highly tolerant of heat, drought, wind, salt spray, poor soils, and shade once established. Very deer and pest resistant.
Compact & Versatile: Maintains a dense, rounded form, reaching 5-6 feet tall and wide, perfect for low to medium hedges or accent planting.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Oval, thick leathery leaves with serrated edges in blue-green and yellow margins. Dense clusters of small, cross-shaped creamy-white flowers bloom in autumn (1-2 months later than osmanthus) with a golden osmanthus-like fragrance, occasionally followed by blue-black berries.
Mature Height: 5–6 ft
Mature Width: 5–6 ft
Growth Rate: Slow
Light Needs: Full sun to part shade
Key Advantages:Late-season fragrant blooms,Fire-resistant foliage,Deer resistant,Topiary adaptable
Soil Requirement: Well-drained soil (intolerant of waterlogging)
Landscape Uses:Firewise hedges,Formal garden borders,Fragrant autumn displays,Container topiaries

Q: How does its fragrance compare to Sweet Olive (Osmanthus fragrans)?
A: The fragrance is similar—sweet and pleasant—but generally considered slightly less intense than that of Osmanthus fragrans. However, its later bloom time (late fall/winter) is a significant advantage.

Q: Does it need full sun for the variegation?
A: The yellow variegation is best in full sun to partial shade. In too much deep shade, the plant may become greener and less compact. It is one of the best variegated plants for shaded areas.