Common Olive (Olea europaea)

Common olive

$43.00

Features and Characteristics

Olea europaea, commonly called common olive, is an evergreen tree that is native to the Mediterranean region. It typically grows to 20-30’ tall with a rounded crown. Young trees have smooth gray bark, but trunks and branches will gnarl somewhat picturesquely with age. Opposite, elliptic to lance shaped leaves (to 3” long) are gray-green above and silver-green beneath. Very small white flowers bloom in panicles (to 2” long) in summer on stems from the leaf axils. Flowers are fragrant. Flowers give way to oval green drupes (olives to 5” long) which ripen to black. Each olive contains a single pit. Olives from this species are commercially harvested as eating olives and for production of olive oils. A large number of different commercial varieties are grown for fruit production.

Olive trees are one of the first trees to be cultivated (2500 B.C. in Crete). An olive branch is a symbol of peace.

Genus name comes from the Latin name for olive.

Specific epithet means of Europe.

Care and Maintenance

Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-10 where it may be grown in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Best performance occurs in Mediterranean-type climates (hot-dry summer and mild-wet winter) such as California. Common olive trees are drought tolerant once established. Trees are not winter hardy to the St. Louis area where they are best grown in greenhouses or conservatories. Growing them as houseplants or in containers that must be brought indoors in winter can be difficult. When containers are brought indoors for winter, they should be placed in cool conditions (40-50 degrees F). Trees need at least two months of sub-50 degree F. winter temperatures in order to produce flowers.

Common Olive (Olea europaea) Requirements

Hardiness zone	8 - 10
Sun light	Full sun
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Medium

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Olive knot, verticillium wilt and root rot. Watch for scale.

Uses

Where winter hardy, they can be grown as ornamentals and/or for fruit production. Climate must be proper for good fruit production. Where not winter hardy, grow in greenhouses or conservatories or in containers that are overwintered in cool indoor locations.

Common Olive (Olea europaea) Details

Common name	Common olive
Botanical name	Olea europaea
Plant type	Fruit
Family	Oleaceae
Hardiness zone	8 - 10
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Flower color	White
Flowering period	June - July
Height	20 - 30 ft.
Width	15 - 25 ft.