About
This species exhibits a robust, branching structure and grows slowly, reaching heights of 4.5 to 9 meters over time. The leaves are narrow and oval-shaped, measuring up to 7.5 centimeters in length, with a leathery texture and a silvery underside. Small white flowers appear in axillary racemes, extending up to 5 centimeters. Numerous cultivated varieties have emerged from Olea europaea, with some capable of producing fruit in the UK when conditions are suitable.
About the genus
Olea consists of small to medium-sized evergreen trees characterized by their simple, opposite, leathery foliage. The flowers appear in terminal or axillary panicles, are small and whitish, and give way to a drupe that can be ovoid, oblong, or globose in shape.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 20-50 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- Mediterranean
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in deep, fertile, sharply-drained soil in full sun. Under glass, grow in peat-free John Innes No 3 with added sharp sand, in full light. See olive cultivation
- Pruning
- Pruning group 1. Under glass prune to restrict size in spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in spring at a temperature of 13-15°C (55-59°F). Can also be propagated by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- scale insect may be a problem
- Disease resistance
- High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa. May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely). May be susceptible to Olive scab