James H. Schutte
Family
Oleaceae
Botanical Name
Olea europaea 'Swan Hill'(SWAN HILL OLIVE®)
Plant Common Name
General Description
Virtually pollen- and fruit-free, this hardy, disease-resistant olive cultivar makes an ideal choice for gardeners who want to avoid the allergy and litter problems associated with fruit-bearing olives. The species is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree from well-drained Mediterranean hill country, where its oil fueled the lamps of great, early civilizations.
Swan Hill® olive forms a single- or multi-trunked small tree with a dense rounded canopy of gray-green, narrowly lance-shaped leaves. As the tree ages, the trunk can become quite gnarled and attractive, making it a popular subject for night lighting.
Like most olive trees, 'Swan Hill' produces white flowers in the spring, but they are sterile and do not form fruits. They also release very little airborne pollen. Therefore the canopy may develop its natural beauty without chemicals or shearing to prevent flowering.
This tree must have plenty of sun and very well-drained soil. It is quite drought-tolerant and free of any major pests and diseases. Protect the base of the trunk from nicks and gouges which may in the future produce unwanted shoots known as suckers. Cutting-grown Swan Hill olives resist verticillium wilt and are hardy to USDA zone 8.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
10 - 8
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 10
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
15'-30' / 4.6m - 9.1m
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Width
12'-25' / 3.7m - 7.6m
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Bloom Time
Spring
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Native To
Southern Europe, Mediterranean, Northern Africa
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
White
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Olive
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Olive
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Olive
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Olive, Gray Green
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Bark Color
Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
Yes
