Olea europea / Olivo

Origin: Mediterranean.

Botanical characteristics: It is an evergreen tree with short trunk and rounded crown. The size is medium and the growth is slow but is very long-lived and can reach 10 mt in height. It has a straight and smooth trunk is light grey when young and then becomes twisted and gnarled, while the bark is dark and chapped. It has strictly opposite ovate leaves with curved margin and are glaucous and leathery, they are smooth on the upper surface and less uniform on the lower one. From April to June it blooms clusters of white flowers, not so showy. The fruits are ovoid green drupes (olives) that turn black when ripe, from which oil is obtained.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It is a plant typically linked to the Mediterranean landscape. It needs to have mild and dry climate, full sun exposure, face south and be sheltered from wind. It should be preferably placed on deep, dry, well-permeable soils and on sub-acid ones, too.

Use: In addition to its use as plant for production it is used as an ornamental plant alone or in groups on the lawn or flower beds. Is the ideal for small gardens.