The flower buds are usually well developed and conspicuous by early winter and the flowers open at the first sign of spring, in March or April. Location Wild olive occurs in dry woods and mesic hardwood hammocks, often along streams, on the Southeastern Coastal Plain from SE Virginia to Central Florida to SE Louisiana. It is rarely abundant, being usually a component of mixed species forests. However, wild olive is a common tree, along with live oak , of the coastal hammocks that grow on barrier islands. Culture Wild olive is an adaptable, slow growing little tree that thrives in almost any soil and needs no attention once established.
Wild olive does very well in light, dappled shade, and even in almost full shade.
Once established, wild olive is drought tolerant. It also can tolerate moist soils, and even an occasional flooding. Although its native range is restricted to USDA zones 8 and 9, wild olive is known to be hardy in zone 5. This is the most cold hardy of the cultivated Osmanthus species. Tip cuttings from half ripe wood taken in summer can be rooted under glass.