Olea Euopaea Olive Trees

The Olive Tree (olea europaea) is an evergreen shrub that thrives in the mild British weather. Full sun and fertile, sharply-drained soil are sufficient to nourish the plant for healthy growth. In a pot, a loam-based compost will work equally well. Olives submit happily to being pruned and look elegant in pots when trimmed to show a long clear stem and a bushy top. Olive trees are well-suited to sunny Mediterranean-style landscapes. An olive tree in a pot looks good and adds character to a doorway or to a terrace.

Olive trees retain their pointed, grey-green, almost silvery leaves throughout the year. Olives are slow-growing, with tiny, fragrant, creamy-white flowers showing themselves in summer from June to August. Later in the year, edible green fruits can be harvested or left to ripen.

A non-standard olive tree will gradually take on a unique knotty appearance as it matures - just the right centrepiece for a sun-drenched, warm and sheltered patch. A fully grown tree could easily measure 5m tall, with a comparable spread.

Buy Olive Trees Online

Like a few other evergreens which are frost hardy, Olive trees require enough protection in cold weather. They are alright in sheltered spots during milder winters, but will need to be overwintered under glass if temperatures dip further.

Olive Tree Resources

View Standard Olive trees online - here are several alternatives having 40-45 cm of clear stem and 30-35cm diameter top.

Olive Tree Care

A low angled stake positioned at 45º angle on the windward side will offer enough protection from damage caused by strong winds. Water your olive well during dry weather and keep out weeds. A light sprinkling of nitrogen-rich general fertiliser a couple of times during the growing period is just the right tonic for the continued health of your olive tree.