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Ancient olive tree with silver-green leaves and gnarled trunk in sunlightTrees

Olea europaea

Olive Tree

olive treeMediterraneandrought-tolerantcontainer plantevergreen

The olive tree is a majestic, long-lived tree with distinctive silver-green foliage and a gnarled trunk that grows increasingly characterful with age. In warm climates it produces edible olives following a modest white bloom in June. As a container plant it can bring Mediterranean charm to cooler regions too.

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Before
After

Characteristics

Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Height
500–1500 cm
Spread
400–1000 cm
Hardiness zone
8–11
Family
Oleaceae
Evergreen
Yes
Flower colors
white
Wildlife value
bees, birds

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun in a sheltered, warm spot with well-drained soil. Water sparingly — olive trees are highly drought-tolerant. In cold winters, protect with fleece or move indoors if grown in a container. Apply a light organic feed in spring.

Pruning tips

Prune in late spring to remove crossing and dead branches. Keep the canopy open for good air circulation. Olive trees tolerate hard pruning well and will reshoot even from old wood.

Good companions

Blooming lavender with purple-blue flowers in summer sunlightShrubs

Lavandula angustifolia

English Lavender

Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.

Full sunLow30–60 cm
Blue flowers and needle-like foliage of rosemary in springHerbs

Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosemary

Rosemary is an aromatic, evergreen sub-shrub with needle-like deep-green foliage and small blue flowers in spring. The plant gives off a warm, resinous scent and is prized both in the kitchen and the ornamental garden. Rosemary thrives in warm, dry spots and is highly drought-tolerant.

Full sunLow60–150 cm
Large white rockrose flower with dark blotches at the base of the petalsShrubs

Cistus ladanifer

Gum Rockrose

The gum rockrose is an aromatic evergreen shrub from the Mediterranean with sticky, resin-scented leaves and large, papery white flowers with a striking dark blotch at the base of each petal. Each flower opens for just one day, but the plant produces new buds for weeks through May and June.

Full sunLow100–200 cm