Olea europaea Olive Tree (Ex Ground) | Drought Tolerant

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) - Evergreen Trees Direct

About Your New Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

Olea Europea, commonly known as the Olive tree, is a slow-growing, evergreen tree with a rounded shape and dense crown, iconic for Mediterranean and Tuscan-style gardens. It grows 4–10 meters tall and wide, featuring silvery-green, leathery leaves that add a timeless, drought-hardy elegance.

This olive tree produces fruit typically starting 3–5 years after planting, though some cultivars may take up to 10–12 years. Fruit ripens in autumn to winter, depending on climate, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters enhancing quality. It thrives in full sun and prefers well-draining, neutral to high pH soils.

Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring to encourage healthy growth and fruit production, focusing on maintaining an open center and manageable height. Use clean, sharp tools for precise cuts.

Ideal for feature trees, hedges, and topiary, the Olive tree adds Mediterranean charm and year-round beauty to gardens with minimal maintenance and excellent drought tolerance once established.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Features and Benefits

Organically certified product
Improves aeration for roots
A rich blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, Gypsum, composted coarse bark and wetting agent
Excellent to mix with heavy clay soils, an organic mixture with added gypsum which is perfect for exotic plants
Revitalises tired soils, adds nutrient and organic matter, no chemical additives, weed free
Assists in retaining moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering

Directions For Use

Water plant well at least several hours prior to planting.
Dig a hole at least twice the width of the pot and 7cm deeper than the pot.
Mix Grow Better Enriched Planting Mix with the soil that has been dug out of the hole, adding about 1/3 planting mix.
Spread a 7cm layer of improved soil in the hole and remove plant from the pot. Tease roots gently if the root ball is very firm and place plant in the planting hole. Check that pot soil is level with the surrounding soil surface level, not higher or lower.
Fill in the hole with improved soil mixture, firm down soil and water well adding Grow Better Plant Starter to final watering.

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Type:

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Edible Garden
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots
Screening or Privacy

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) works in an:

Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) Evergreen or Deciduous?

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m - 15m Approximately (can be larger if unpruned)

Mature Width: 4 – 10 meters

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) is expected to grow Approx. 20 – 40 cm per year.

Growth Rate of Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) is expected to grow Approx. 20 – 40 cm per year.

They are considered to have a:

Slow Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

Is Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) frost tolerant?

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) Flower?

Olea europaea produces clusters of small, creamy-white, lightly fragrant flowers in late spring to early summer. These subtle blossoms sit among the silvery-green foliage and are followed by traditional Mediterranean-style olives, creating a classic and understated seasonal display.

Does Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Fragrant

Flower Colour:

White

Is Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) an Australian Native Tree?

No

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) is Native to The Mediterranean basin, including southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, where olives have been cultivated for thousands of years.

What is the Wildlife Value of Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) ?

Its nectar-bearing blooms attract bees and beneficial pollinating insects, while the ripening olives provide a seasonal food source for birds. The dense, spreading canopy also offers perching, shelter and habitat structure, contributing modest biodiversity support in Mediterranean, coastal and urban gardens.

How much Sunlight does Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) need?

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Olea europaea performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and prefers neutral to slightly alkaline conditions, though it will tolerate mildly acidic ground. Ex-ground specimens benefit from loose, friable soil with excellent drainage to minimise transplant stress. Improve heavy clay with coarse material and organic matter to increase drainage and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during re-establishment, then transition to deep, infrequent watering as the tree matures to support strong root recovery, evergreen health and consistent fruiting.

Is Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) Drought Tolerant?

Is Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) Drought tolerant?

As a young transplant it requires consistent watering to settle new roots, but once fully established the Olive Tree develops excellent drought tolerance. Naturally adapted to hot, dry climates, it maintains strong evergreen growth and reliable fruiting with only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

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How To Plant Your Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

Choose a sunny, open site with excellent drainage.
Dig a wide hole and loosen soil at the base and sides.
Mix native soil with coarse compost or sand for improved structure.
Position the tree at the same depth it was previously growing.
Water deeply after planting and apply mulch, keeping clear of the trunk.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

Hedging & Screening: Plant 1.5 m – 2.5 m apart depending on size and maturity.

Feature Tree: Plant 3 m – 6 m apart to allow development of natural canopy.

Avenue Planting Trees: Plant 5 m – 7 m apart for mature, architectural rows.

Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) is expected to grow Approx. 20 – 40 cm per year.

Slow Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground)

Watering: Deep, infrequent watering encourages strong root development.
Fertilising: Apply balanced fertiliser in early spring and mid-summer.
Pruning: Shape after fruiting to maintain form and improve airflow through the canopy.

Planting Your Olea europaea - Olive Tree (Ex Ground) in Different Soil

How to Grow in Different Soil Types

Olea europaea thrives in well-drained soil but adapts to various conditions:

Sandy Soil: Requires added organic matter to improve moisture retention and nutrients.

Clay Soil: Needs improved drainage with sand and compost to prevent waterlogging.

Loamy Soil: Ideal for strong root development and consistent fruit production.

Acidic or Alkaline Soil: Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline conditions but adapts well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it need full sun?Frequently Asked Questions

Is Olea europaea suitable for pots?
Yes, but it will require regular pruning to maintain size and good drainage in large containers.

Does it require regular pruning?
Minimal pruning is needed—light shaping after fruiting and removing deadwood in winter helps maintain structure.

How much water does it need?
Minimal once established—deep watering every few weeks is sufficient in dry conditions.

Does it need full sun?
Yes, thrives in **