shrub RHS Award

Goshiki False Holly

Name: Goshiki False Holly
Brand: Osmanthus
Availability: InStock

Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki'

$21.99

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

48 inches

Width

42 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Long-lived shrub

Native To

Japan, Taiwan

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Osmanthus heterophyllus is a dense, evergreen shrub with spiny, holly-like leaves. It produces small, fragrant white flowers in fall. 'Goshiki' means 'five colors' in Japanese, referring to its stunning variegated foliage which emerges pinkish-bronze and matures to a mix of cream, yellow, white, and green.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Provides outstanding year-round color and texture with its multi-hued, evergreen foliage. The holly-like leaves add a fine, architectural quality to garden designs.

Its dense, spiny nature makes it an excellent choice for a low, deer-resistant barrier or foundation planting. It can be sheared into a formal hedge.

The small, intensely fragrant flowers that appear in fall provide a late-season nectar source for bees and other pollinating insects.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Great Garden Plants

<1 Gal Pot1+ Gal PotTrays

In Stock$21.99

Rocky Knoll Farm

1+ Gal Pot

In Stock$32.00

Garden Goods Direct

In Stock$32.95

Dancing Oaks

<1 Gal Pot

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Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a site with full sun to part shade and well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.
Amend heavy clay soil with compost to improve drainage.
Place the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil.
Backfill the hole, gently firming the soil around the roots.
Water thoroughly after planting and mulch to conserve moisture.

Pro Tip

Provide some afternoon shade in hot climates to prevent leaf scorch and maintain the best variegation.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide consistent moisture, especially during the first year.
Prune in late winter to maintain shape.
Plant where its sweet fall fragrance can be enjoyed.

Don't

Don't plant in waterlogged soil.
Don't allow the soil to completely dry out.
Don't shear heavily, as it can remove the most colorful new growth.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Colorful foundation plantingVariegated low hedgeStriking container specimen

Companion Plants

Loropetalum chinense Nandina domestica 'Firepower' Helleborus orientalis Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Goshiki False Holly questions

What zones can Goshiki False Holly grow in?

Goshiki False Holly is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Goshiki False Holly deer resistant?

Yes — Goshiki False Holly is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Goshiki False Holly bloom?

Goshiki False Holly typically blooms in early fall through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Goshiki False Holly need full sun?

Goshiki False Holly does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Goshiki False Holly drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Goshiki False Holly handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.