Basically, there is no need to talk much about Olive Trees (Olea europaea) because everybody knows these quaint trees, which are inseparably associated with Mediterranean landscapes. Olive Trees are therefore a must for any sun terrace and a wonderful gift for all those who like to travel to the south! There, the robust and undemanding evergreen trees grow in poor soil, which they also prefer when cultivated in a container. As a pot plant their water requirements should not be underestimated. Even though Olive Trees seem to thrive on dry land in hot Mediterranean summers, their roots grow many meters deep into the ground to feed on ground water. Olive Trees in pots therefore need a continuous supply of water to prevent them from drying out. In full-sun locations, with this care, they will become decades-long companions, providing a Mediterranean lifestyle on any balcony and patio or courtyard with their gray-green foliage that is unattractive to pests. They cannot, however, be planted in the garden, because they are not hardy enough and also have problems with winter wetness. In areas with mild winters, experienced hobby gardeners may have success with extensive winter protection, but without a heating source the tree will suffer substantially in extreme winters. Even the hardiest varieties in Tuscany get damaged when the temperature drops lower than -10 °C. In winter it is best to keep your Olive Tree in a bright but unheated place indoors, but not in permanently warm living rooms, where they would only use up their energy reserves. In our country, Olive Trees bloom abundantly with small, yellow flowers, mostly in the early summer weeks. If they do not produce fruits, this is because they need a partner for pollination. Plants grown from seed are only partly or not at all self-fertile and need a second plant for pollination. If you want fruits with only one plant, the best chance is with grafted, self-fertile varieties that produce black or green olives, depending on the variety. Please do not try to eat olives raw, because this is no pleasure at all. Olives have to be pickled for months before they develop their flavor. Olive Trees grow rather quickly, but only develop a dense and well branched crown when they are pruned regularly. That's why even very small Olive Trees that have been radically pruned every year are often very old.

Quality: gray-green classic for Mediterranean-style terraces; rugged, much-branched habit; attractive & edible olives; evergreen; robust & easy to care for

Use: in pots from April outside on balcony & terrace; in the garden (during winter in an unheated room); all year round in an unheated greenhouse or conservatory