Olea europaea

Common name:

Black olive

Other names:

Green olive, King-of-trees, Manzanillo, Mission, Pickling olive, Queen, Ripe olive, Sevillano, Oleaceae, Olea europeae

Genus:

Olea

Species:

O. europaea ~ O. europaea is a neatly shaped evergreen tree with a dense spreading crown of glossy grey-green to dark-green foliage and sprays of tiny, lightly scented white to greenish flowers followed by small, fleshy fruits which ripen purple-black.

Cultivation:

Plant in free-draining, fertile soil in full sun to partial shade. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added sharp sand in full light. Feed monthly and water moderately in growth; water sparingly in winter.

Suggested uses:

Banks and Slopes, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Woodland, Foliage only

Plant with:

Helleborus foetidus
Phlomis italica

Soil types:

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage:

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Soil pH:

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light:

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect:

North, South, East, West

Exposure:

Exposed, Sheltered

Hardiness:

Tender in frost (H3)

Pests:

Generally pest-free.

Specific pest(s):

Scale insects

Diseases:

Generally disease-free.

Propagation method(s):

Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings

Skill rating:

Beginner

Maintenance hours / year:

Olea europaea is:

Evergreen

Flower:

White, Insignificant or absent in Spring

Foliage:

Dark-green in All seasons

Fruit:

Black in Autumn

Fragrance:

Flowers are scented.

Habit:

Rounded

Ultimate height (m):

Ultimate spread (m):

Time to maturity:

10-20 years