Dwarf Olive

The Dwarf Olive, scientifically known as Olea europaea ‘Little Ollie’, is a popular and charming evergreen shrub or small tree, cherished for its compact size, delicate texture, and classic Mediterranean appeal. This particular cultivar is a dwarf, mostly fruitless selection of the Common Olive (Olea europaea), which is native to the Mediterranean Basin, parts of Asia, and Africa. It thrives in climates with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, adapting to a wide range of well-drained soils and preferring full sun. In the landscape of Phoenix, Arizona, ‘Little Ollie’ is an exceptionally versatile and widely planted choice, performing beautifully in the intense heat and sun. As a long-lived perennial, a Dwarf Olive can persist for many decades, potentially 50 years or more, forming a well-established and attractive presence.

Its most distinctive characteristics include its compact, rounded growth habit, typically reaching a height and spread of 4-6 feet, though it can be pruned into a small tree form or formal hedge. The leaves are small, elongated, and a beautiful silvery-gray to olive-green color, providing a fine texture and classic Mediterranean ambiance. While the species produces edible fruit, ‘Little Ollie’ is specifically bred to be fruitless or produce very few, inconspicuous fruits, eliminating the mess associated with traditional olive trees. This makes it an ideal choice for patios, walkways, and formal garden settings. Inconspicuous small, creamy-white flowers may appear in spring, but its primary ornamental value lies in its attractive foliage and neat form. The Dwarf Olive is highly valued for its exceptional drought tolerance once established, its resilience to heat, and its relatively low maintenance needs. Its manageable size, elegant appearance, and adaptability to various pruning styles (including topiary) make ‘Little Ollie’ an excellent choice for low hedges, foundation plantings, containers, borders, and as a formal accent in xeriscapes, Mediterranean-style gardens, and contemporary landscapes, particularly excelling in the prolonged warm seasons of Phoenix, Arizona.