OLEA europaea

Description:Common name: Olive. A slow growing evergreen tree with long grey-green leaves

Uses: Often used in courtyards, Mediterranean style gardens and formal plantings. Olives produce small white flowers in summer followed by fruits in the autumn that turn purple-black

Climate/Position: Full sun in a sheltered spot. Olives do not like an exposed position

Height/Spread: Both height and spread can be restricted by pruning

Soil Requirements: Very free draining soil with low fertility. Add grit when planting on clay soils to ensure good drainage. Olives do not like a wet soil in the winter months. Use John Innes no.3 and added grit if growing in pots

Pruning: Olives respond well to pruning. Prune twice, once in the spring then again in early summer, as the wood needs to ripen before the onset of colder weather

Special Requirements: Shelter from drying winds. Water during dry spells in the summer months. Do not allow the roots to freeze if grown in pots

Additional Interest: All of our Olives are checked on arrival according to DEFRA guidelines. Provender Nurseries are Plant Healthy certificated