Olive trees are beloved in many different areas, regions, and countries. They have been used for many years as a favorite in countless landscapes. Olive trees are nature’s reminder to us of simpler lifestyles, ancient cultures, and peaceful countrysides.
To this day, olive trees have maintained a position as one of the most popular trees to plant in residential and commercial landscapes. They bring many benefits to the table and provide businesses and homeowners alike with some of the best qualities that landscape trees can offer.
In this deep dive into the world-famous olive tree, we’ll take a look at the many features and uses of olive trees that make them so desirable. We’ll unpack some of the most commonly asked questions about olive trees and showcase landscape applications and styles they thrive in. We will also tell you how to care for olive trees and give you guides on watering, fertilizing, and trimming these majestic trees to keep them looking their absolute best.
Olive trees, like a fine wine, are equal parts classic and contemporary, exotic yet familiar. Let’s get to the heart of what makes these trees so special!
Olive trees are hardy, evergreen shade trees native to Mediterranean Europe and areas of Asia and Africa. Their native heritage and growth pattern make them extremely suitable for planting in landscapes across the southwestern and coastal United States.
Olive trees complement a wide variety of landscape styles and can be commonly found in Mediterranean and modern landscape designs. The olive tree’s Tuscan heritage lends itself to be utilized in yards of Spanish-style villas and gardens inspired by the Italian countryside, as well as more contemporary designs that take advantage of the olive tree’s artful form and striking foliage.
In Mediterranean landscapes, olive trees will often be used as an anchor point to suggest a Tuscan or Spanish theme. They will then be complemented by rows of Italian Cypress, Date Palms, Mediterranean Fan Palms, Rosemary, and other flowering trees and plants.
In this example of a beautiful Spanish yard design, the olive trees are shading the front windows of the home and the driveway, while providing a balance between the mature Resort Style Date Palms™ and the unique aloes and agaves that are being used as accents here.
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In this masterful design of Tuscan influence, the olive trees are used to provide cooling shade to the yard and pool, while their silvery leaves contrast wonderfully with the deeper green foliage of the tiered hedge bushes and accent Trailing Rosemary nearby.
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Olive trees featured in modern landscape designs can be found shading exotic succulents, artistic sculptures, or highlighting a portion of the yard or home. In many cases, olive trees themselves will be showcased as an example of yard art!
Here we see a peaceful courtyard framed by four gorgeous olive trees. This minimalistic landscape design allows the olive trees to steal the show as the main focal points. Take note of the pleasant way the olive trees contrast with sculptures and yard art.
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Bonus Design Tip: If you love the look of olive trees and want to incorporate them into smaller areas of your property, or if you’ve wanted to know if you can plant olive trees in pots, a great option are Dwarf Olive trees! These little silvery gems, sometimes called Lil’ Ollies, are perfect for planting in pots and planters. You can even grow them indoors!
Olive trees are one of the best low-maintenance shade trees. They are clean, hardy, and very forgiving. With a bit of knowledge on how to water, fertilize, and trim your olives, you can ensure they always look their best.
After your trees have become established in the yard, they become drought-tolerant and can survive with little water. However, continuing to frequently water your olive trees after they have become established can cause them to produce a more vibrant foliage color and grow at a faster rate.
This is a very high-level overview of how to water olive trees. The amount of water and frequency of watering sessions will change depending on the season and where you live. For more specific information on watering olive trees based on the time of year and your area, check out our care guides here!
Fruiting olive trees will need the nutrients from fertilizing to produce a large and satisfying crop of olives. We recommend applying fertilizer monthly, starting in the early spring and continuing through summer before stopping in the early fall. This will ensure vigorous growth and a hearty crop!
You can learn more about our Moon Dust™ All-Purpose Fertilizer here!
For fruit-bearing olives, it is best to prune and trim in the late fall or early winter, to make sure you are not taking away from your trees’ olive crop by trimming before the harvest season in August and September.
To learn more about olive trees and how they can be a wonderful addition to your landscape, reach out to one of our Professional Landscape Designers. Our designers have years of knowledge designing landscapes based on businesses and homeowners' needs, wants, and dreams. We look at the goals you are looking to achieve with your landscape, whether it be shade, privacy, curb appeal, or any other need, and combine them with trees and plants that fit into your favorite design style.
We offer free landscape designs at all our Moon Valley Nurseries locations and can also schedule a consultation at your home! Call your local Moon Valley Nurseries Landscape Designer today to ask about adding majestic olive trees to your yard!