Olive Tree Olea europaea

Olea europaea is a classic evergreen olive tree prized for its neat, grey-green foliage and elegant, architectural form. Slow growing and long lived, it thrives in a warm, sheltered spot with full sun and free-draining soil, making it ideal for patios, courtyards and Mediterranean-style plantings. Small, creamy-white flowers may appear in summer, with fruit possible in long, warm seasons; in cooler regions it is best treated as an ornamental specimen. Plant in well-drained, gritty or chalky soil (or a container with a free-draining mix), keep watering modest once established, and protect from severe frost and cold, drying winds.

To help give a clear sense of scale, the stone wall shown in our photos measures approximately 265cm in height. We also use familiar garden tools as visual references: a digging fork (110cm tall) and a hand fork (30cm tall). These are included purely as size guides to help you better judge proportions when viewing the images.

Position: Full sun

Rate of Growth: Slow

Soil: Well-drained; light sandy or chalky soils

Hardiness: Hardy in mild areas (to around -10°C); protect from severe frost

Plant at a Glance