Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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small olive trees nz

Looking to grow your own olives in a compact garden, or searching for a feature tree suitable for a patio or small outdoor space? Small olive trees NZ are the perfect solution for anyone wanting the charm, productivity, and Mediterranean flair of an olive tree without the need for a large section. With their attractive silvery foliage, year-round interest, and ability to thrive in containers or garden beds, small olive trees make an excellent choice for urban and suburban New Zealand homes.

Beilschmiedia tarairi (Taraire)

Beilschmiedia tarairi, commonly known as the Taraire tree, is a unique, NZ native tree. Its prominent feature is the masses of olive-like, purple fruits through autumn and winter, which are favoured by birds. Also of interest are the leaves, which, when young, are covered in red-brown hairs that disappear as the tree ages. Taraire grows to about 20 m tall and 7 m wide, with a smooth, brown trunk. Its slow growth rate makes it ideal for long-term landscaping projects, including ecological restoration, park plantings, and as a specimen tree in larger gardens.

Buy Beilschmiedia tarairi (Taraire)

From $299.92

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 20.00 m

Spread: 7.00 m

Garden uses: Parks, Ponds, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Native

Pittosporum Small Ball (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum Small Ball is a dwarf variety grown for its glossy, olive-green leaves which are held densely. This evergreen grows with a ball shape to about 1 m tall and the same wide. This hardy plant is ideal for including in a mixed planting, growing in a container, including in rock gardens, or using in border plantings. Pittosporum Small Ball also looks great when planted around water features such as ponds or swimming pools.

Buy Pittosporum Small Ball (Dwarf Pittosporum)

From $107.05

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.00 m

Spread: 1.00 m

Tolerances: Coastal

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Topiary

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock

Why Choose Small Olive Trees in NZ?

Whether you’re a keen gardener eager to harvest home-grown olives, or simply want to enjoy the ornamental beauty of olive trees, small olive trees NZ fit beautifully into a variety of settings. These slow-growing trees usually reach a manageable height, making pruning, harvesting, and maintenance straightforward. Their drought tolerance and coastal hardiness also make them well-suited to many New Zealand gardens, from the subtropical north to the cooler southern regions.

Best Varieties of Small Olive Trees for NZ Gardens

When choosing your small olive trees NZ, it’s important to select varieties that perform well in local conditions and offer the attributes you’re after, whether that’s excellent fruit or striking foliage. Top picks include:

Olive Moraiolo: Prized for its compact size and reliable crops of high-quality olives, Moraiolo is perfect for smaller gardens and container growing.
Olive Frantoio: Known for its upright, manageable growth and classic, oil-rich fruit, Frantoio is a top choice for those wanting both ornamental value and delicious olives.
Olive El Greco: This elegant dwarf variety is especially suited to pot culture or clipped hedges, producing beautiful fruit and stunning silvery leaves.

Planting and Caring for Small Olive Trees NZ

Olive trees thrive in full sun and free-draining soil. For smaller spaces, growing in a large container is a practical option and makes winter protection easy in cooler regions. Plant your small olive tree in a sheltered spot and water regularly until established. Once settled, these trees are notably drought tolerant and require minimal fuss. Annual pruning keeps growth compact and encourages healthy fruiting. Feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring will keep your tree lush and healthy.

Companion Plants and Landscape Ideas

For easy, low-maintenance design, pair your small olive trees NZ with structure-forming shrubs like Pittosporum Small Ball (Dwarf Pittosporum). Their tidy mounds of foliage provide the perfect textural contrast. For gardeners seeking a lush, native backdrop, consider trees such as Beilschmiedia tarairi (Taraire) for added interest and biodiversity.

Add Small Olive Trees to Your NZ Garden

With their classic look, resilience, and versatility, small olive trees NZ are a fantastic addition to urban courtyards, patios, or productive gardens. Explore our range of premium small olive tree varieties and companion plants online, and let us help you create a Mediterranean atmosphere right at home.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.