Olea Olive Trees (Olea Europaea)

Olive Exotic Trees Description

Olive Tree is an iconic evergreen tree that brings a touch of the Mediterranean to UK gardens. Renowned for its silvery green, narrow leaves and attractive, gnarled trunk, the olive tree is a symbol of longevity, peace, and elegance. Its slow growing nature makes it an excellent choice for patios, courtyards, and small gardens, whether planted in the ground or grown in containers. Mature trees can reach a height of 3 to 5 metres (10 to 16 feet) in the UK, although regular pruning can keep them compact and manageable.

In late spring to early summer, the olive tree produces small, creamy white, fragrant flowers that attract pollinators. If conditions are right, these flowers develop into small, oval shaped olives, which ripen from green to black in late summer to autumn. While fruiting is more prolific in warmer climates, UK gardeners can improve their chances by growing olive trees in a greenhouse or polytunnel during the flowering and fruiting season.

Pruning Advice

Light Maintenance: Prune lightly in late spring or early summer to shape the tree and remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. This promotes healthy growth and improves air circulation.

Encouraging Fruiting: Thin out overcrowded branches to allow light and air to reach the inner canopy, which can help with fruit production.

Container Grown Trees: Prune to maintain size and shape, ensuring the tree remains balanced and manageable.

Rejuvenation Pruning: Older or neglected olive trees can be rejuvenated by cutting back branches to encourage new growth, but this should be done gradually over several seasons to avoid stressing the tree.

Frost Protection: In colder areas, consider wrapping the tree in horticultural fleece during winter to protect young branches from frost damage.

Further Information

Evergreen Appeal: The olive tree retains its silvery green foliage year round, providing structure and beauty throughout the seasons.

Mediterranean Charm: Its distinctive appearance adds elegance and a touch of Mediterranean warmth to any outdoor space.

Low Maintenance: Olive trees are drought tolerant and hardy once established, requiring minimal care.

Pollinator Friendly: The fragrant flowers attract bees and other pollinators in spring and early summer.

Versatile Growth: Suitable for growing in containers, making it ideal for patios or small gardens.

Potential for Edible Fruit: In favourable conditions, it can produce olives that can be cured for consumption, adding a culinary benefit to its ornamental value.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.