A wonderful long-lived evergreen tree, Olives like warm dry summers in a sunny protected area and therefore are often kept in pots in Britian although they can be planted out in warmer protected areas, younger olives need more protection in harsh winters.

Olives like both acid and alkaline soils with drainage being essential. A loam-based compost such as John Innes No 3 is best, with the addition of a good quantity of grit to ensure the drainage. Although drought tolerant Olives in pots do need to be watered regularly to keep their roots moist. A good idea is to keep the pots on feet to give better drainage and to prevent the roots from freezing.

Planting is best done in late spring, both in the ground and pots as the olive is given time to acclimatise although fleece should be used if there is a cold spell. Pottered Olives can be kept in an unheated greenhouse during the cold months and brought out when the weather warms up. Spring is also a good time to top-dress the Olive with a slow-release fertiliser, together with keeping the surface weed-free to allow the water and feed to flow through.

Olives have clusters of tiny creamy white flowers in spring, followed later by little olives. Prune occasionally, preferably in autumn to keep its shape and remove any dead or diseased branches. To restrict growth in a pot you should prune the tips of the main branches, cutting back to new shoots each year.

Cultivation: Best in pots, town, country gardens

Soil: Loam or most fertile soil, acid & alkaline

Position: Warm, sunny protected, can cope with slight shade or wind

Foliage: Evergreen silver grey leathery narrow leaves

Flowering: Tiny clusters of creamy white flowers in late spring

Fruiting: Olives

Habit: Rounded bushy

Hardiness: Not fully hardy in Britian

Growth: Fairly vigorous

Benefits to Wildlife: Some

Height & Spread in Maturity:  Olives can live up to 1000 years and more!

History: The Symbolism of the Olive: Known as the universal symbol of peace, it is also a tree of friendship, love, hope and victory. Long lived, the oldest olive is known to be 2000 years old and hence its name ‘Tree of Eternity’.