This small vigorous tree has a greyish trunk with spreading branches that form a dense rounded crown. It has grey-green narrow leaves that are silvery underneath and the cream wheel-shaped flowers appear in a cluster from spring to summer. 

Hardiness zones 8 to 11

Olea europaea is naturally found in the Mediterranean region growing in very well drained, moderately fertile sandy to clay soils in an open sunny position tolerating drought, pollution and neglect but is frost tender. 

Olive is grown for its fruit and its silvery foliage. It is planted in small gardens as a specimen or in groves for commercial fruit production. The sub spp cuspidata is planted in garden borders for screening or can be trimmed to form a hedge. They are suitable for coastal and inland regions establishing in 3 to 4 years but care should be taken as the sub-species may become a weed. They are also used for riverside binder and screening. ID 577

Olea (O-lee-a) europaea (yoo-roh-PEE-ah)

‘Olea’: ancient Latin name for the olive; ‘europaea’: of Europe; ‘africana’: of Africa.

Oleaceae (oh-lee-AY-see-ee)
American Hog Plum, African Walnut Family