olive
Olea europaea
USDA zones8 to 10
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size20 to 30 feet tall15 to 25 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Erect
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Gray/silver, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Notes
Olive (Olea europaea) is a tree for borders, containers, food gardens, and xeriscapes. It is hardy to USDA zone 8, or down to 10°F (-12°C). This plant likes full sun and dry to moist soil of most types. Its evergreen leaves are gray-silver and green. The white flowers are fragrant. It grows slowly, tolerates drought, and becomes a tall tree with an erect shape.
Pairs well with Munstead lavender, Creeping thyme, Strawberry tree, and Prairie dropseed.
Native range
Mediterranean.