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  • OLEA europaea
    OLEA europaea
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
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    OLEA europaea  OLEA europaea  OLEA europaea  OLEA europaea
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    OLEA europaea

    Commonly known as Common olive

    Small white flowers and leathery green leaves, silver beneath
    Large
    plant size comparison icon
    7.5 to 10 Litre   - Click to view photo
    Delivery Information
    Available Early Spring 2026
    £75.00  
    Available Early Spring 2026 - Spring according to the Met office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore early spring is early March to mid-April. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
     
    Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
    • Flowering
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      Jan
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      Feb
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      Mar
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      Apr
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      May
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      Jun
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      Jul
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      Aug
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      Sep
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      Oct
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      Nov
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      Dec
    • Good to know
      Fruit is unlikely to ripen in UK climate
    • Pests & Diseases
      Scale insects under glass
    • Place of origin
      Mediterranean
    • Evergreen
      Opposite, irregularly toothed leaves to 8cm (3in) long
    • Cream
    • Panicles
      Axillary panicles to 5cm (2in) long
    • Greenhouse / conservatory
      Not the sort of plants to be grown outside where there are likely to be frosts. These plants need to be grown in a conservatory or cool greenhouse or at least brought inside for the winter
      Under glass grow in loam-based compost JI No.3 with additional sharp sand in full light. Restrictive pruning in spring when required
    • Sub-tropical / mediterranean
    • Frost hardy (down to -5)
    • Dentate
    • Elliptic
    • Lanceolate
    • Height
      8m (26ft)
    • Spread
      8m (26ft)
    • Tree
      Slow growing tree developing a rounded head. The tiny flowers are followed by spherical to ovoid green fruit to 4cm (1½in) long which ripens to black
    • Pruning group 1
      Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
      Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
      When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.

    • Half hardy - unheated greenhouse / mild winter
      Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK except in severe winters and a risk from sudden (early) frosts. May be hardy elsewhere with wall shelter or good micro-climate. Likely to be damaged or killed in cold winters. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -5°C (23°F)
    • Fertile well drained soil
      Deep, sharply drained soil
    • Full sun
    View Detailed Plant Description

     

    View Planting Tips and Care Advice
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    Useful extras...

    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants. Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
    1 ltr
    £8.50
    Vermin & Pest Control
    Slug killer blue mini pellets are easy to use and give effective control of slugs and snails. Ideal in garden, conservatory or greenhouse.
    800g
    £6.50
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
    Small - 60g sachet
    £3.00
    Medium - 150gm sachet
    £6.00
    Large - 360gram sachet
    £12.00
    Unavailable
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