Olea europea (Shrub)

Size: 8 litre pot.
Common Name: Olive Tree.
Situation: Full sun, Well-drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy.
Eventual Height: Variable depending on shape.
Larger and older Olives available.

The elegant, handsome, evergreen Olive tree (Latin name Olea europaea) captures perfectly the essence of the Mediterranean. The iconic olive tree offers fantastic character and Mediterranean charm planted in the garden or in a big terracotta pot sitting on a patio or in a courtyard. Despite their prominence in hotter drier Mediterranean climates, olive trees are very hardy plants that are easy to care for and which thrive in the British climate. On top of all this, if positioned in a hot sunny spot a good crop of olives can be expected at the end of summer.

The olive tree (olea europaea) enjoys, loves, basks, in full sun, ideally if possible keep out of very strong winds. Olives are wonderfully hardy when established and will be fine in all but the coldest parts of the UK. Olive trees are not too fussy about soil types but they do have a preference for well-drained soil.

Feeding Olive trees throughout the growing season is essential to promote strong healthy foliage. Olive trees are very drought tolerant, but they still enjoy a good drink during dry periods especially when planted in containers, and especially for less established trees. Pruning is the key to keeping olives in good shape, prune back in late spring or summer to promote new growth and good shape, do not allow Olive trees to lose shape otherwise the foliage becomes sparse.