Osmanthus Heterophyllus Pom Pom False Holly Topiary

Osmanthus Heterophyllus Pom Pom is an evergreen multi-stemmed false holly trained into numerous spheres on strong stems. This topiary plant brings instant impact to a balcony, doorstep, or patio and suits a large, well-watered container.

Osmanthus Heterophyllus is commonly known as False Holly or Gulftide. It’s native to eastern Asia, Japan, and Taiwan and part of the Oleaceae family, which is why it’s sometimes called holly olive.

These mature pom-pom topiary plants have dark green holly-like leaves trimmed into dense spheres at the top of each branch. False holly has thick foliage, so the topiary spheres are compact and lustrous. Pollinators love its white fragrant flowers that emerge in summer and autumn.

Although it’s sometimes called fake holly, this beautiful evergreen topiary is every bit as good as holly and even surpasses it as a topiary ornamental because its leaves are less spiky.

Height and Spread of Osmanthus Heterophyllus Pom Pom
False holly can reach a height and spread of 2.5 metres, but an annual trim will manage its size.

How Hardy Is Osmanthus Heterophyllus Pom Pom
False holly topiary is frost hardy throughout the UK if its roots are well drained. It can tolerate exposed situations, full sun, and urban pollution.

How To Use Osmanthus Heterophyllus Pom Pom
Pop pom topiary is a Japanese tradition, but its interesting shapes and evergreen colour suits all garden styles. Its instant impact enlivens dull decks, patios, and roof terraces with very little effort on your part.
False holly topiary is an ideal choice for a large well-watered container near seating areas in urban courtyards and balcony gardens. Team it with other pom-pom topiary shrubs from our selection of established plants such as Italian privet pom poms that enjoy the same growing conditions.

How To Care For Osmanthus Heterophyllus Pom Pom
Osmanthus Heterophyllus Pom Pom prefers a well-drained spot or a regularly watered and fed container in full sun or partial shade.
False holly is slow growing, so the spheres only need an annual trim to keep them in tip-top shape. If you want to encourage pollinators, hold off until its fragrant white flowers are spent in late autumn.
Container-grown false holly should be raised off the ground slightly to enable sufficient drainage and weighed down in breezy spots to avoid topple damage to the stems.