Olive Tree To Grow In Uk
Whether you grow them in the ground or in a large container they will add an instant touch of the mediterranean and may sometimes in hot summers and southern gardens reward you with a heavy crop of attractive looking fruit that need special preparation to make them edible.
Olive tree to grow in uk. Can olive trees grow in the uk. Olive trees are very hardy and can withstand temperatures of 10 c but when combined with a cold wind can ruin younger trees. It isn t so much the weather that matters but creating the conditions olive trees prefer. Africana smaller fruit and dark green glossy leaves o.
Olive trees flower and fruit on one year old wood. It will thrive in a large pot in a bright spot on the patio or balcony or in an unheated conservatory or greenhouse. Olives are drought tolerant evergreen trees with shimmering silvery foliage that love to bask in a warm sunny and sheltered position. The uk climate is surprisingly well suited to growing olives.
Olive trees need at least three months a year of cold weather to flower and fruit. Picking the right olive tree. They are wind resistant and drought hardy a winning combination that means olive trees are truly easy to grow. Olea europaea sativa small white scented flowers in late spring and summer o.
Some varieties of olive trees can grow up to 10 feet tall and while we are championing the notion of bigger is better a 10 foot olive tree might be pushing the boundary. The answer is yes. Olives are hardy and frost resistant to 15c without the need to fleece. Growing olive trees in the uk.
What are the best cultivars for growing outdoors in the uk. Although olive trees conjure up images of warm weather and the sun kissed mediterranean you can grow an olive tree in the uk. Temperatures below 10 degrees celsius along with a fluctuation in night and daytime temperatures initiates the fruiting process. Plant mature olive trees because they are more hardy than young plants making them better suited to the uk s temperate climate.
Despite being a mediterranean plant an olive tree needs at least two months cold weather to produce flower and fruit. Arbequina is a small tree from catalonia in northern spain with a weeping habit ideal for small gardens. The english climate is perfect for growing an olive tree. The uk may be sun challenged but we do get enough sunlight to keep olive trees in suitable conditions therefore it s best to position your tree in the sunniest spot in your garden.
Europaea frantoio popular italian variety used for making olive oil.