‘Olive’
FAMILY: Olea
USES: An evocative plant, used for both its fruit and historical connection with the region. Used as an accent, espalier, specimen, shade, patio, street, row or grove tree. Also seen as a silhouette and background plant
SIZE: Grows to 15m tall with a 20m spread at a rate of 40 -60 cm p/a.
LOCATION: Full sun and reflected heat. Tolerates some shade. Accepts direct sea wind and also hot, dry desert wind.
SOIL: Best in an organically enriched, free draining fertile soil, with a deep profile having a pH 6.1 – 8.5, mildly acidic to alkaline.
FERTILISER: Apply a slow release 13:13:13NPK annually in spring. Subject to K deficiency which causes leaf tip burn and to B deficiency which causes death of shoot tips, flowers and an end of fruit.
WATER: Keep soil moist. Does not accept over irrigation or waterlogging which will lead to yellowing and dropping of the leaves.
Wahat Al Sahraa Nurseries, Al Amardi St., Al Khawaneej, P.O. Box 37579, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.