The olive is one of the oldest known cultivated plants. Olea europaea is a long lived species originating from around the shores of the Mediteranean sea. Rainbow trees produces 2 varieties prized as much for their ornamental properties as much as for their fruit.

Olives grow best in full sun in well drained but fertile soil . In windy areas the trees will need staking until established. Once established olives can be cut back quite hard to encourage better form and fresh growth.

Olive El Greco is used primarily as a hedge or shelter tree because of its fine foliage and compact growth habit. El Greco can be cllipped into a formal hedge or shaped up as a topiary subject. The fruit is of good size and is generally used for pickling. Olive Verdale forms a more open specimen tree and is useful as medium sized shade tree or taller screen in the garden . Fruit is green ripening to black with a good oil content and is used mainly for pickling.

Click here for our handy Planting guide.