Olea europaea Mission

Common Name:
Mission Olive

Description:
Olea europaea 'Mission' is a versatile and highly productive olive tree, originally developed in the United States but well-suited to Australian conditions. This evergreen tree produces medium to large, oval-shaped black olives with a rich, mild flavour, ideal for both oil production and table use. The fruit starts green and ripens to deep black in late autumn to early winter. Mission olives are known for their smooth texture and slightly sweet, nutty taste when cured. The tree has a dense, spreading canopy with silvery-green leaves, making it an excellent ornamental as well as a productive fruit tree. Drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Regular pruning enhances fruit production and maintains its shape.

Form:

• Tree - Medium
• Tree - Small (when pruned or grown in pots)

Mature Size:

• Height: 4–7m (can be pruned smaller)
• Width: 3–5m

Aspect:

• Full Sun

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:

• Creamy White

Key Attributes:

• Edible Fruit
• Self-Pollinating (but benefits from cross-pollination)
• Suitable for Pots
• Suitable for Espalier
• Drought Tolerant
• Bird Attracting
• Long-Lived

Toxicity:

• Non-toxic to humans and pets

Companion Plants:

• Lavender (repels pests and attracts pollinators)
• Rosemary (thrives in similar dry conditions)
• Thyme (great ground cover and pest deterrent)
• Citrus trees (compatible in Mediterranean-style gardens)
• Grape Vines (similar sun and soil requirements)