In the stoic endurance of the legendary Spanish olive tree, we find the whispers of resilience and growth — a testament to flourishing under life's relentless sun.

BEAUTY AND HERITAGE:

THE LEGENDARY SPANISH OLIVE TREE

An enduring icon of the Mediterranean landscape since the

dawn of agricultural societies, the Spanish olive tree,

in all its many variants, is renowned for its delicious

and versatile fruit as well as its unique aesthetic qualities

and time-defying longevity.

DEFINED BY BEAUTY AND LONGEVITY

Although they can vary widely in appearance, a typical olive tree cultivar (variety), such as the popular Hojiblanca, is a medium-sized tree with a crown of medium foliage density. The slightly drooping branches give the tree and others like it an elegant, graceful appearance. Besides radiating a stunning natural beauty, olive trees have evolved a robust resilience that allows them  to survive and even thrive under various adverse conditions and temperature extremes.

Other much sought-after landscaping cultivars include Farga and Hausca – each of which bears a distinctive, dramatically rustic appearance. Like the Hojiblanca, the typical lifespan of these scene-transforming trees can be counted in centuries.  

ENDURING SURVIVOR

One key factor in the Spanish olive tree's nearly unimaginable longevity and resilience is a natural super-power of the plant world:  an ability to adapt to varied and changing growth environments. For example, the Hojiblanca variety mentioned above has specially-shaped and colored  leaves that gather and help convert sunlight to energy with high efficiency. This means olive trees of this type are as happy in direct, sustained sunlight as they are in partially-shaded settings, giving home and commercial landscapers more of a choice in placing the tree.

"STAR" OF THE GARDEN

Knowing about this signature characteristic helps you envision an enchanting scene highlighted with the unique beauty of the Spanish olive tree. You can see it in your mind’s eye – a mixed-arbor of breeze-rustled shade trees gently drenching a patio chair or rustic walkway with dreamily dappled sunlight. As a backdrop to such exquisite serenity, the Spanish olive tree with its intriguingly textured bark, time-sculpted branches and silvery, dark-green or gray-green foliage emerges as a masterpiece of nature and darling of the luxury landscaping community.

MULTIFACETED NATURAL TREASURE

Despite its aesthetic charms the Spanish olive tree isn’t just a pretty face. Its rich and storied history dates back thousands of years to great and forgotten civilizations of history. Most ancient societies recognized the value of olive trees as  a food source, and revered them as a symbol of peace and prosperity. Throughout the centuries, the Spanish olive tree has accrued a significant influence in Mediterranean cultural identity as expressed in the region’s art, literature and poetry. Such was the towering value of olive trees in bygone eras that their oil-extract was frequently accepted as a trading commodity, cross-border currency and even loan collateral.

STILL A COVETED TREE

Fast-forward to the present, where the Spanish olive tree remains a central player in the culinary world, both as the rich, aromatic extract and brined fruit prized for its robust flavor and easy pairing with a wide range of foods. And thanks to their high carbon-sequestering qualities and resilience to natural threats, olive trees are an environmentally sustainable choice that capture climate-warming CO2 from the air and "lock" it away in their dense wood.

ROOT OF THE MATTER

What  all this means is that the rich history and enduring heritage of the legendary olive tree continues to this day. But now a highly-prized landscaping ornamental, the ancient olive tree reveals that its millennia-long growth development evolution has now been distilled into a visually captivating tree of stunning beauty. It offers soothing joy that’s vastly different, but no less rewarding than that of ancient times.

Now that your curiosity about the ornamental olive tree’s captivating good-looks has been rustled, click your way to our Century Olive Tree online galleries where you can browse our selection of rare and much sough-after ancient olive tree varieties. 

Ready to experience the real thing? Visit the Century Olive Tree nursery & show-gardens, where you’ll stroll amid these gorgeous trees displayed in actual landscaping settings. This is where landscaping inspiration comes from.

We’re happy to answer any questions and offer expert advice.

Book your personal Century Olive Tree tour today! It’s fast and convenient on our official LINE account or call +66 989 682 666, +66 933 933 666.