Phillyrea latifolia
green olive
An evergreen shrub or small tree to 8m in height, with dark green leaves up to 6cm long. Fragrant, but not very striking yellowish-green flowers appear in spring and are followed by black fruits
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Black | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Phillyrea are evergreen shrubs with simple, opposite, leathery leaves and small, often fragrant white flowers, followed by purple to black berries
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Mediterranean
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil, ideally in full sun, with shelter from cold, dry winds. Tolerates partial shade. Salt tolerant foliage suited to exposed coastal sites. It is an ideal specimen for cloud pruning
Propagation
Semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer (in a propagator,for example)
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pruning group 1 and pruning group 8. If grown as a hedge, clip in summer
Pests
May be susceptible to Phillyrea whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
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