European Olive (Olea europaea) Tree
European Olive (Olea europaea) Tree
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Olea europaea, also known as European Olive, African Olive, is an evergreen, slow growing, long-lived tree belonging to Oleaceae family. Native to Africa, temperate Asia and Europe. It grows in woods and in dry rocky places.
Olive trees are slow growing evergreen with thick, deeply fissured, and contorted gray trunks. Leaves are opposite, narrow, and lance-shaped (up to 8 cm long), dark green above and silvery-white underneath. Olive trees bloom in Spring in white fragrant flower clusters. They are unlikely to produce fruit in Ireland as they need warm temperate regions with mild moist winters and hot dry summers. But interestingly some reports say that trees often fruit in south-western England.
Olive trees represent peace, according to saint Hildegard of Bingen. Edible parts include fruit, leaves, manna (sweet sap) and oil. Leaves are widely used in herbal medicine.
Plant Details
Botanical Name: Olea europaea
Common Name: Olive, European Olive, African Olive
Pot Size: Supplied in 9 cm or 14 cm
Plant Type: Hardy perennial
Height at maturity: up to 10m, but very slow growing
Position: Sunny position.
Soil: sandy, loamy and clay soils, but prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. pH ranges from mildly acid, neutral and mildly alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in dry or moist soil and is drought resistant.
Flowering: from April to June (Northern Hemisphere)
Wildlife Friendly: attracts wildlife
Origin: Grown in organic compost from seed in Ireland.
Growing Guide
Plant Olive in spring after the risk of frost has passed or early autumn in well-drained soil in a sunny area. Water for the first 2 weeks if there is no rain to help it establish. Can be grown in containers providing appropriate soil and winter protection. Growing in the ground it is hardy to about -10°C. But younger plants are best protected from freezing temperatures. Protect plants from frost grown in containers.
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