Hi Tina, I have many. They are quite common here...do you have to order one? If you can't easily find them in droves at Lowes and such, I would tend to think they won't do well in your area. However, I would try one as they do have such a nice aroma and if it makes it, plant more.
Do you go on the Tennessee garden forum? The people there will tell you your exact zone -although you'll have micro climates- and what plants do best for your city.

I have three. BB's right they're readily available down here. Unfortunately, I think you're too far north.

I have two, one on either side of my driveway. Right now they are in full bloom and I can't get enough of their fragrance.

Everything I've read says from 7b on, but if you really want one, I would go ahead and buy one. You will be so pleased if it makes it. Hands down, it's one of the lowest-maintenance shrubs that I have.

This plant has the most heavenly smell. A little like Chanel #5, to my nose. The one thing I miss most about living down south are the wonderfully fragrant plants: sweet olives, magnolias, jasmine.

I've got two tea olives that we moved from our front doorstep over to the screened porch off our bedroom. We've got jasmine climbing all of our palmettos and one just at the corner of the porch, but that usually doesn't start blooming until May. The tea olives are heavenly scented when in bloom, mine look as though they're about a week away from bloom. I noticed a thick layer of green pollen covering the car yesterday, so we're just starting our miserable pollen season with the pines - I slept with the window open and woke up sneezing this morning, so I know there's more to come! Unfortunately, I'm allergic to southern pine pollen, and azaleas, both of which are abundant here.

Tina, you could grow one in a pot. That's how I started out with them. It won't get as big as in the ground, but you'd still be able to enjoy the fragrance.

Have you tried finding your zone by zip code? That's what I use. Although in my area we've been a tad warmer for the last 10 years then the zone indicates. For that reason I'll plant something slight out of my zone but I select a more sheltered location. I wouldn't spend hundreds of dollars on a tree that might not make it but I'll buy shrubs and flowers.

Here is a link that might be useful: hardiness by zip codes

Most info on Osmanthus says zone 7b is its northernmost zone. It might be worth a try, but I would probably put one in a large pot and overwinter it inside or in the garage if there is a window. I have longed for one myself, but, alas, we are zone 7a.

Thank you all! Thank you Wodka for the encouragement and thank you maire-cate for the link! I am 6b, although as someone else mentioned, for the last 10-15 years our temps have increased and our winters are milder.

When this was discussed on the cottage garden forum, using the plant as a container plant was suggested. I do the same thing with pink jasmine each year, although I do not bring the jasmine in for the winter, just get a new plant.

This weekend I ordered one plus some wisteria - from ebay! I have used this nursery before and they are located in the carolinas. I have ordered wisteria from them before. Funny thing, wisteria grows everywhere here - but you do not see it in our nurseries.

tina

Wisteria is one of the most destructive plants on the planet. I'd container that plant over any other plant and keep the container on crack free cement. They can be beautiful trained in a pot to look like a small tree. At the very least I'd keep it away from my house. They get enormous and will easily crush any trellis not made with 4x4s set in cement. I've personally seen pictures of one that tore apart a pergola made with 4x4s. Make sure you see the wisteria you are buying to check for blooming. There are a lot of wisteria sold that are 'mules' that never bloom.

Tea olives smell incredible. Mine made it through 3 days of 10 degree weather two winters in a row.

pjtex - I know wisteria can be destructive - but I love it! We did have it on a trellis off a patio, but were concerned it could cause problems with the patio. It was the devil to get it all dug up - those roots!!!

We had a tree to die and we are going to leave the tree (will trim branches) and let the wisteria climb up it. We have a bit of acreage, so big back yard with nothing in that area that the wisteria could hurt.

I've not seen this wisteria - as I said, I ordered it - yes, off ebay! But I have ordered from this vendor before and had great luck.

tina

Update - both plants came quickly. The tea olive is quite large! Hubby planted the wisteria and it has little shoots of new growth. The tea olive has some little spots of new growth but most of the mature leaves are quite dry. I'm thinking/wondering if most of them will drop? We potted it and it's outside now.

So many things blooming! Pruned my new climbing rose that I got last year. We've mowed and things are looking nice!

tina