Botanical Name: Olea europaea subsp africana
Common Name: Wild Olive

 

Use: Outdoors
Indigenous/Exotic : Indigenous
Evergreen/Deciduous : Evergreen
Plant Type : Tree
Flower Colour : White to green
Foliage Colour : Grey green
Best Season : All seasons
Light : Sun
Hardiness : Hardy
Attributes : Fragrant
Height (m) : 6 - 8
Spread (m) : 6
    
Notes : Genus of about 20 species. It is a tree of great character which should be grown in any garden. Hardy and drought-resistant. Not fussy about soil. Two cupfuls of lime added to the soil when planting, will promote faster growth. Tolerates wind. Slow-growing. Makes a long-lived, neat, well-shaped tree and a good shade or screen plant. To grow it in the latter form, retain its lower branches. With pruning it can be turned into a shady specimen. The dense rounded crown of grey green leaves are dark green above and dull below. Clusters of tiny, lightly-scented, short-lived white or greenish flowers are followed by masses of small, round, berries which are purple-black when ripe and loved by birds. Makes a good bonsai. In a harsh environment, the tree will may have a shrubby habit. The growth rate varies greatly depending on the growing conditions. The Olea prefers a hot Summer with good rainfall. Propagate from seed or hardwood cuttings.