TreesOlea europaea
Olive Tree
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.
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
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
ShrubsLavandula 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.
HerbsRosmarinus 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.
ShrubsCistus 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.