Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' - Olive

Olea europaea 'Tolley’s Upright' – Olive is a low- to non-fruiting evergreen olive variety prized for its narrow, upright form, silver-green foliage, and adaptability to both formal and informal landscape styles. Growing to 7 metres tall and 4 metres wide, it’s the ideal solution for designers and homeowners who want the look of an olive tree without the fruit-related maintenance.

With its vertical habit and moderate growth rate, Olea europaea 'Tolley’s Upright' – Olive is an outstanding choice for hedging, screening, street planting, and architectural garden design. It responds beautifully to shaping, making it suitable for topiary, pleaching, or as a sculptural specimen tree.

Highly tolerant of drought, poor soils, wind, and coastal exposure, this olive is built for resilience. Once established, it requires minimal water and thrives in full sun—making it a favourite for low-maintenance, sustainable landscapes.

Whether used as a clipped formal hedge, a courtyard statement, or a row of upright accents, Olea europaea 'Tolley’s Upright' – Olive offers unmatched performance and design flexibility.

Key Details

• Botanical Name: Olea europaea 'Tolley’s Upright'

• Common Name: Tolley’s Upright Olive Tree

• Mature Height: 7 metres

• Mature Width: 4 metres

• Foliage: Silvery-green, evergreen foliage with year-round interest

• Form: Upright, narrow, columnar growth habit

• Growth Rate: Moderate

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade

• Soil: Tolerates loamy, sandy, and clay soils; requires good drainage

• Drought Tolerance: High once established

• Fruit: Low to non-fruiting – no mess

• Water Needs: Moderate; deep watering in prolonged dry periods

• Maintenance: Low to moderate; prune to shape or size as desired

• Uses: Hedging, screening, architectural accents, modern gardens, urban spaces, formal planting

• Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen