It's very easy to prune back if it gets too big for you. It is very slow growing so you probably won't have a problem for years and years. Cutting it back does encourage it to get bushier. Just clip the top out of it if you want to. I have not heard about a dwarf variety. Get the largest one that you can so that you will get the most of the blooms quickly.

Slow growing? I've only had mine for 3 years or less and it is over 10 feet tall! But it does seem easy to prune back.

Wow!!! I guess it depends a lot on the soil. Around here, they are s-l-o-w. Mine are about 15 years old and only one has reached the eave of the house.

Can it grow and bloom in a shade?

I saw one at the botanical gardens in Athens that was in shade and was at least 10 maybe 12 feet tall, it wasn't the right time for bloom so I can't speak to that. My babies (planted spring 06)are only about 3 ft tall and all the tips are drooping right now from last weekends cold. Can I snip off the droopy parts?

check this site for infomation.

I think the tips that got the cold weather will drop off soon if they are really dead. You can snip them if you wish, but I don't think it's necessary. I would leave them until you are very sure they are gone.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tea Olive

Plant tea olives anywhere you would plant a camelia sasanqua. Light shade is perfect, but I wouldn't want to try and keep them under 6-7'. I had some at my first house that were 15 ft. tall. They were right outside my bedroom window and smelled great in the spring and fall.

I have 2 varieties now. The more uncommon osmanthus fragrans aurantiacus with the orange-smelling flowers are not as fragrant or as attractive.

There are now a couple dwarf cultivars. In fact, I think The Grower's Outlet in Loganville had a smallish variety this last weekend.

Dwarf sound good to me. I want to plant it by the wall of my house. Last time I planted something there, the house inspector gave me a lecture about planting stuff close by the house. Still want to cover those bare walls.
Thank you all for your advice. I was out of town (Canada), so could not answer sooner.
~Natalie

I have a tea olive hedge that starts in full sun and ends in full shade. All of the plants due well, but the full shade ones do grow more slowly. The poor guys get whacked back to 3 feet tall each year, but take it like a champ. By the end of the year, they are back to five feet. Rinse, repeat.

I feel bad for them because they weren't ideally suited for this spot (short hedge was what was needed), but they do cooperate, thankfully...

Comotion,
your tea olive is a real troupe and a good example for all of us: do your best with what life gives you, and bloom where you are planted.

Natalie, a tea olive is a bushy plant, not good for really close to a house. If you want to cover the walls, look into a trellis, or a plant that could be espaliered. Do leave breathing room between the trellis and the wall, though. The inspector is right - planting too close can invite trouble.

I am convinced: teal olive is too much for the side of the house. Bought a jusmine that does well in a shade. Will plant that.
Thank you all for the great suggestions!