Also in the early spring, a complete fertilizer should be added (usually 10-10-10 is recommended). Plant in spring or early fall to give plants the best start. The trees should be planted at minimum 4 to 6 feet apart. SweetTree was founded in 2002 and has become a leading provider of home care in London. Consider whether tall trees or shrubs will block windows or interfere with the roof or power lines. Because of its natural columnar shape, tea olive requires only minimal pruning, though gardeners may choose to prune the plant in order to encourage branching. Pruning olive trees is recommended yearly at the end of the winter / beginning of spring. Smaller leafed cultivars of holly tea olive (Osmanthus heterophyllus), Fortune’s tea olive (O. x fortunei) and Delavay tea olive (O. delavayi) make good hedges and can be maintained as low as 4 feet tall. Overview. Although the blooms aren't big and showy, their enchanting sweet fragrance makes up for what they lack in size. Basic Care Summary. Pinch out stem tips after bloom to increase bushiness. I have had success growing Sweet Olive … Soil. The olive trees rest, they recharge, they produce flowers, then fruit. This great shrub is found at numerous Houston nurseries and garden centers, and there will … With its glossy green leaves, tea olive, Osmanthus fragrans , can be pruned into a shrub or hedge, or if left alone can become a small tree at upwards of 20 feet or more. Before you take the cuttings, prepare the pots to plant them in. With proper care, Sweet Olive will thrive in any part of the country and should be planted in a container and moved indoors for winter in cold climates. Monitor new plants through the first two years to make sure they are getting the moisture they need. Sweet olive is an easy-care plant that performs well in all soil types. The ideal time is to prune it before it's about to begin its new growth for the year. Sweet olive trees, also called tea olives, are evergreens that can reach heights of up to 30 feet, depending upon the variety. They can take sun to partial shade but do best with some afternoon relief from the sun in summer. © 2020 Louisiana Nursery. Plant Care 101: Arbequina Olive Tree. Olive Tree Care. Tiny flower clusters have a delightful apricot-like fragrance. Be sure to prune selectively, as severe pruning can prevent the shrub from blooming for several years. This enriches the soil and loosens the existing dirt so that new roots can spread easily. Item #430183 Model #063151. With its glossy green leaves, tea olive, Osmanthus fragrans , can be pruned into a shrub or hedge, or if left alone can become a small tree at upwards of 20 feet or more. It enjoys sun but appreciates afternoon shade in the warmest zones. Pole pruners and tree saws are better for large, mature shrubs or trees. The olive … Highly adaptable, it produces abundantly in hot dry climates. Can also be grown in large containers. To prepare the planting area dig a hole as deep as the root ball and three times as wide. Do not, however, confuse the olive for … It's one of our most popular trees and a personal favorite: The Arbequina Olive Tree. A question for Dan Gill: Our sweet olive has been in the ground about four years and is about 6 feet tall.We've heard these trees can grow to be about 12 to 14 feet tall. A large evergreen shrub or small tree with a broad upright form that is densely branched and covered with finely toothed, dark green foliage. Set the plant in the hole. Where space is limited, stems can be cut back to main branches or to the ground. Due to the presence of carotenes in the flowers, some say that the Orange Tea Olive has a more pleasant fragrance than the white. Has Evergreen foliage. Tea olive, Osmanthus fragrans, blooms on twigs that grew in the last six to nine months. Over the years, we have helped more than 18,000 people to live more independently. The sweet olive tree prefers moist, well drained soil. The plants prefer a well-drained soil and are fairly drought tolerant once established. They can grow up to a foot per year so it is considered a medium growing plant. This evergreen tree or shrub, depending on whether you prune it, is an old-fashioned Southern favorite known for its ease of maintenance and versatile uses in the landscape. After removing the soil, mix it with some compost or peat moss. To form a small multi-trunked tree, remove the lower lateral branches. A cousin of the white-flowering Tea Olive, the Orange Tea Olive produces the same sweetly fragrant flowers but in a wonderful creamy orange color. To remove the plant from the container, gently brace the base of the plant, tip it sideways and tap the outside of the pot to loosen. Determine which application method is best for the situation and select a product designed for trees and shrubs, or go with a nutritionally balanced, general-purpose formula such as 10-10-10. Water the plant well then add a 2” (5cm) layer of mulch, such as shredded bark, around the planting area. To minimize the damage to your olive tree, prune it only once a year in the late spring or early summer. Baton Rouge, LA Rounded Shape. Avoid sites where water stands during rainy periods or where ground water seeps into a hole two feet deep. Read more here. Join our friendly community that shares tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants. Try this versatile plant in the garden this year. Sweet olive has deliciously fragrant flowers that smell a lot like those of a fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), which is in the same family. Sweet Olive also have the benefit of being very disease and insect resistant so they are lower maintenance. The farmers accompany their development and growth accordingly. BE THE FIRST TO KNOW! The 60" inch size is a mature olive tree and thus costs a lot more - … If the first 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, it is time to water. Young olive trees are sold in 15" boxes and will cost around $85. We have only to step outside in late winter or early spring when the sweet olive blooms to detect its heady scent wafting on the air. Q: When is the best time to prune sweet olive shrubs? The dense, glossy leaves look great year-round, the new growth is tinged with red adding a subtle color accent, and clusters of small flowers appear over a long season starting in late summer. Olive trees grow slowly and generally require little pruning each year if they are healthy and well-maintained. With proper soil drainage, sweet olive trees can become resistant to drought conditions. However, at the end of the day, olive trees are not really intended as indoor plants; they are a fruit tree that needs pollination like any other.Salmeri tells us that these hearty trees can prosper indoors for a few years, but following his tips is key. This species belongs to the genus Osmanthus . Plant grows slowly and can be pruned freely to shape or keep at a specific size. ... Water 2 - 3 times per week until established. All rights reserved. Monrovia White Fragrant Olive Flowering Shrub in Pot. Outstanding for planting near walkways, decks and patios where the fragrant flowers can be enjoyed by passersby. Olive trees prefer light pruning to severe pruning. It is extremely important that the soil drains well. They can be planted near windows and doorways to bring the scent indoors. Prairieville, LA, Driven by Become a member of the exclusive club and join the gardening elite. How To Plant A Tea Olive Osmanthus Shrub Or Tree In The Ground or In Pots Posted by Brent Wilson on 7/4/2016 to Planting & Growing Tips When planted right and in the right spot Tea Olive Osmanthus, also called "sweet olive," are exceptionally easy to grow. Here is a simple design to show what the olive tree cycle is, illustrating which months the farmers perform which tasks, and how they take care of their olive trees. Commonly, you can call the plant tea olive or sweet olive, as both names nod to the sweet scent emitted by the plant's tiny white blooms. Over-fertilizing plants or applying at the wrong time during the growing season can result in plant injury. They are evergreen so the leathery, dark green foliage will last year round. You can also purchase olive trees in 24", 36", 48" and 60" boxes. An unforgettable fragrance merges with slow but steady growth, making the Tea Olive Tree a must-have for your garden. Tea olive trees thrive in well-drained, fertile and acidic soil, although they can tolerate clay, loam or sandy soils. A great choice for a hedge or privacy screen or small tree. However, at the end of the day, olive trees are not really intended as indoor plants; they are a fruit tree that needs pollination like any other.Salmeri tells us that these hearty trees can prosper indoors for a few years, but following his tips is key. Keep the mulch at least 4” (10cm) away from the trunk of the plant as this can keep the bark too moist and cause it to decay. Feed in early spring when plants start growing. Sweet olive trees do not require extensive pruning, but look best when trimmed regularly to control their shape. Water the tree deeply immediately after planting. 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