Tea olives, also known as Osmanthus fragrans, are beautiful and fragrant shrubs that typically do not require much pruning. In fact, they often develop a naturally pleasing shape on their own. However, there are situations where pruning may be desired or necessary.
1. Shaping: If you have a specific vision in mind for the shape of your tea olive shrub, selective pruning can help you achieve that desired form. For example, if you want a more rounded or compact shape, you can prune the outer branches to encourage denser growth. On the other hand, if you prefer a more open and airy appearance, you can selectively remove inner branches to create space.
2. Formal Hedges: Some tea olive varieties have small leaves and can be sheared to create formal hedges. This is particularly popular with cultivars like Osmanthus fragrans ‘Fudingzhu’, which has a compact growth habit and dense foliage. Regular shearing can help maintain a neat and tidy appearance for such hedges.
3. Overgrown or Leggy Plants: If your tea olive has become overgrown or leggy, pruning can be useful to rejuvenate the plant. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches first. Next, selectively prune back long and unruly branches to encourage new growth from the base. This can help restore a more compact and vigorous form to the shrub.
4. Removing Crossed Branches: Occasionally, tea olive shrubs may develop crossed or rubbing branches. These can cause damage and hinder healthy growth. Pruning out such branches can prevent further damage, improve air circulation, and promote overall plant health.
When pruning tea olives, it is important to use clean and sharp tools to make smooth cuts. Avoid removing more than one-third of the plant’s total foliage in a single pruning session, as this can stress the shrub. Instead, spread out pruning activities over multiple seasons if necessary.
Personal Experience: I have a tea olive shrub in my garden that I rarely prune, as it naturally maintains a beautiful shape. However, a few years ago, it suffered from some winter damage, resulting in a few dead branches. I pruned those out in early spring and was pleased to see how quickly the shrub bounced back with new growth.
While tea olives typically do not require extensive pruning, there are instances where selective pruning can be beneficial. Whether it is for shaping, creating formal hedges, rejuvenation, or removing crossed branches, proper pruning techniques can help maintain the health and aesthetics of these lovely shrubs.
