Olea europaea africana is a very hardy, evergreen, drought resistant tree with gorgeous silvery foliage and a rounded crown.
It bears scented, greenish flowers from October to December followed by delicious edible small black Olives (these can be eaten directly from the tree and need no treatment to make them edible).
It is an excellent bird and insect tree that is much favoured by wildlife.Birds love to probe under the rough dark bark for insects.
This neat decorative garden tree can cope with very adverse growing conditions and the addition of two handfuls of lime in the soil when planting will promote faster growth.
Older specimens develop a very wide crown therefore it needs space. Plant in well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. It makes a beautiful avenue plant or single specimen plant.
Scadoxus puniceus (Paint Brush) bulbs grow very well in the shade of its canopy. Beautiful bonsai can be created with this tree.
The timber is also beautiful and much sought after by craftsmen. It has many magical and medicinal uses.
Size 5 to 10m