Olea europaea

Olea europaea is a slow-growing evergreen tree valued for its dense, rounded crown and distinctive grey-green foliage. In early summer it bears small, lightly scented, creamy-white flowers which may be followed by small fruits that can ripen to purple-black in warm summers. Best grown in full sun and a warm, sheltered position, it prefers sharply drained soils and copes well with dry conditions once established, bringing a classic Mediterranean character to Irish gardens.

To help give a clear sense of scale, the stone wall shown in our photos measures approximately 265cm in height. We also use familiar garden tools as visual references: a digging fork (110cm tall) and a hand fork (30cm tall). These are included purely as size guides to help you better judge proportions when viewing the images.

Position: Full sun; warm, sheltered site

Rate of Growth: Slow

Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil; neutral to alkaline, including chalk or sandy; avoid waterlogging

Hardiness: Generally hardy to around -10°C in a sheltered position; protect from severe or prolonged frost

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Plant at a Glance