Olive tree: a collection of articles on how to plant, grow, care and harvest it

Xylella fastidiosa, the olive tree killer

Key facts Botanical name – Xylella fastidiosa Common name – Olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS), Pierce’s disease, Olive tree blight Family – Xanthomonadaceae Sub-species – fastidiosa, multiplex, pauca and sandyi Type – Bacterial disease Symptoms – leaf scorch, chlorosis, stunting, twig desiccation Until recent times, Xylella fastidiosa wasn’t mentioned very often, but nowadays it’s become […]

Olive tree killing bacteria, xylella fastidiosa

Olive tree, the Mediterranean comes to the garden

Olive tree, both potted and planted in the ground, certainly is a kind of tree that garners much attention these days.

Close-up of an olive tree with two ripe, black fruits on a branch.

Picholine olives, a taste of Provence

Picholine olive is a special olive variety native to southern France. Consumers are often unaware of the fact: olive oil from Nîmes was awarded in 2004 the title of “controlled designation of origin“: Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in French.

Trendy with good reason: ornamental olive

It is the symbol of the Mediterranean, and has conquered gardens across the world. A symbol of immortality, hope, and abundance, the olive tree pleases everyone thanks to its beauty and hardiness.

Olive trees are trendy and ornamental, like these with olives turning black on the tree in fall

Russian Olive, a nice shrub

Russian olive is a beautiful shrub. Its name comes from its native region – Southern Russia – and the resemblance to the olive tree around the Mediterranean.

Leaves and flower of the Russian olive tree

Olive trees, even in the North!

Olive trees in the North? Yes, it can grow! A single thing matters: take great care of the special needs of this exceptional tree.

Close-up of an olive tree branch covered in heavy snow.

Winterizing your olive trees and protecting them from the cold

It might come as a surprise, but what is most fatal to olive trees in winter isn’t the cold – it’s moisture. If the cold sets in gradually and the air is dry, olive trees are hardy down to 10 to 17°F (-8 to -12°C) and have been known to survive temperatures as low as […]

How olive trees react to cold and freezing weather

Oh, the joy of growing an olive tree! Even though olive is associated to warm Mediterranean weather, freezing cold also plays a crucial part in olive bearing.

An olive tree freezing with three inches of snow.

Mediterranean garden planting ideas – Chelsea Highlight

Here is a typical Mediterranean garden for show, presented at the 2010 Chelsea Flower Show. English natives adore French Provence and this garden drew quite a crowd.