osmanthus heterophyllus variegatus ( photo / image / picture from gardenelf's Garden ) A little while ago, I added a plant and this photo to the plant files. This plant I have always thought to be a variegated holly, ilex aquifolium variegatus. After placing it on this site, I thought I look up what subspecies I had, because there are quite a few. I came across a picture that was an exact match, but the title wasn't holly, it was osmanthus! Oops, I thought, how can check? Well, the sure way to tell is the way the leaves are set: osmanthus leaves are set opposite on the stem, holly leaves alternate. I ran back to my garden and had a closer look at my plant. Uh oh, the leaves are indeed set opposite one another, so it is definitely not holly! One thing's for sure: I'll never EVER forget the difference between osmanthus and holly. I apologise for this really silly mistake, but I hope you'll all forgive me.
You are totally forgiven by me.... I would have never guessed the difference looking at the picture Now if I had tried to use it as holly MAYBE I would have guessed it
I have to admit that when I first saw your photograph my first thought was variagated holly. I even checked my own little holly tree. Now I know what to look for I'll never mix the two up but I'd never have known the difference if it hadn't been for your post.
Hi GardenElf, is there a change that needs to be made in the plant database? I can do it for you if there is.
Frank, I don't think the plant-db needs to be changed. I've already deleted the image, but the rest can stay as it is. Hopefully there are members who do have this holly in their garden & can place a nice pic. I haven't yet checked if this osmanthus is in the db yet, otherwise I'll add it, this time with the correct photo.
