You know it's summer when the olive trees arrive! As is the norm at this time of year, we've recently taken delivery of a whole lorry load of beautiful olives – all shapes and sizes – to suit all gardens and all budgets.
Keen to hunt down the largest variety, the best specimens and the best deal for our customers, one of our buyers, Kevin White, went on a buying trip to an area in Southern Spain which specialises in olives. The smaller plants are grown from cuttings and grafting while the larger older specimens are extracted under special license from land in development areas.
The nurseries in Spain stretched for mile after mile with thousands and thousands of olives, interspersed with palms. I can't say that I checked every single one but I definitely ensured we bought the best quality!
- Kevin White
In the South of the UK olives have proven their hardiness – both small and large sizes have thrived despite the cold winters of a few years back. In warm summers they may flower and fruit – but we always warn customers not to expect to be able to make olive oil! Olive trees can bring a touch of the Mediterranean to almost any garden scheme and thrive in well-drained soil in both containers and in the ground.
Visit soon for the widest choice!
