Holly osmanthus vs Laurustinus

Holly osmanthus and Laurustinus are often considered for the same spot in the garden (specimen, hedge, screening, flowers, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Holly osmanthus

Osmanthus heterophyllus 2 m × 1.5 m after 10 years

An evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green, spiny leaves that look like holly, bearing tiny white flowers in autumn whose scent carries a long way…

Shrub

Full sun

Part shade

from about PLN 25

Laurustinus

Viburnum tinus 2 m × 2 m after 10 years

A Mediterranean evergreen viburnum with dark, glossy foliage that flowers from late autumn in mild winters, otherwise from late winter into spring:…

Shrub

Full sun

Part shade

Key differences

Laurustinus spreads wider: 2 m × 2 m after ten years, against 2 m × 1.5 m for Holly osmanthus (an estimate: sources differ).
Laurustinus grows faster than Holly osmanthus.
Holly osmanthus is hardier: down to -18 °C, against -12 °C for Laurustinus.
Laurustinus copes better with summer heat than Holly osmanthus.
Laurustinus tolerates drought better than Holly osmanthus.
Holly osmanthus has thorns, Laurustinus does not.

Which one to choose?

Holly osmanthus is the better choice if the garden is cold or a frost pocket.

Laurustinus is the better choice if you want quick results, the spot is hot and sunny, you cannot water regularly or it goes next to a path or play area, but only in a sheltered spot with mild winters: it can freeze below -12 °C.

Watch out for

Holly osmanthus

In Central Europe it is at the edge of its hardiness: it is reliable down to about -18 °C, and in colder winters, especially in windy, sunny, exposed spots, the leaves scorch and shoots die back, although it usually resprouts in spring. Protect young plants with mulch and a cover in their first winters, and avoid frost pockets. Variegated cultivars are more tender. Pests are few: scale, aphids and occasionally vine weevil.

Laurustinus

In Central Europe winter hardiness is its weak point: shoots and flower buds are damaged below about -12 °C, and at around -15 to -17 °C the bush dies back, in a hard winter right to the ground. It usually resprouts from the base but does not flower that year, so in colder areas it belongs only in a very sheltered spot or in a tub, with the base mulched. Early morning winter sun scorches frozen leaves. Among pests the viburnum beetle chews holes in the foliage, and aphids and leaf spot also occur; in waterlogged soil it gets root rot.

The data side by side

Feature	Holly osmanthus	Laurustinus
Group	Shrub	Shrub
Size after 10 years	2 m × 1.5 m (uncertain)	2 m × 2 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	2.5–6 m × 2–6 m (uncertain)	1.8–3.6 m × 1.8–3 m
Growth rate	Slow	Medium
Light	Full sun, Part shade	Full sun, Part shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic, Clay, Calcareous (uncertain)	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)	down to -12 °C (USDA 8, RHS H5)
Heat tolerance	Medium	High
Foliage	Evergreen	Evergreen
Flowering	September–November, white	November–May, white, pink
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	High
Maintenance	Low	Low
Planting distance	100 cm	120 cm
For dogs	no data	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	no data	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	no data	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	approx. PLN 25	no data

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 26, 2026

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