Olea europaea ‘Little Ollie’ is a popular, compact cultivar of the classic olive tree, offering the Mediterranean aesthetic in a manageable, dwarf shrub or small tree form. This evergreen selection, prized for its dense growth and linear, grayish-green foliage, is a highly versatile specimen for modern landscapes. Companion planting involves carefully selecting nearby plants that share similar environmental needs and offer pleasing visual contrast or harmony. A successful pairing ensures the health of the Little Ollie while enhancing the overall beauty and design of the garden space.
Matching Little Ollie’s Growing Requirements
Companion plants must tolerate the Little Ollie’s specific Mediterranean growing conditions. This dwarf olive thrives in full, direct sun and high heat, often tolerating reflected heat from hardscapes. Its root system requires exceptionally well-drained soil, adapting well to rocky or sandy sites, which mimics its native environment. Once established—typically after the first two years—it is drought-tolerant, needing only low to moderate water. Any plant placed nearby must be equally adapted to these lean, dry, and sun-drenched conditions to prevent disease and root rot in the olive.
Recommended Companion Plants by Function
Groundcovers and Low Borders
Selecting companions that perform different roles helps create a layered, biodiverse, and visually interesting planting scheme. For groundcovers and low borders, species that tolerate dry conditions are ideal near the base of the olive. Low-growing herbs such as Creeping Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) and various species of Thyme (Thymus) are excellent choices. Their shallow root systems do not aggressively compete with the olive, and they share the same sun and drainage needs. Drought-tolerant Sedum varieties also offer a fine texture contrast while suppressing weeds.
Perennial Accents
Perennial accents introduce color, height variation, and fragrance. Lavender (Lavandula) is a classic Mediterranean pairing, especially varieties like ‘Sweet Lavender’ (Lavandula heterophylla). These provide striking purple-blue flowers that contrast beautifully with the olive’s silver-green leaves. Salvias, or ornamental Sages, are another strong choice, as they are water-wise and offer spire-like blooms. Ornamental grasses, like the compact, blue-hued Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue,’ add fine, wispy texture and a cool color element that thrives in dry soil.
Structural and Foliage Contrast
For structural and foliage contrast, consider plants with dramatically different shapes or colors. Architectural plants like Yucca rostrata or small, non-aggressive Agave varieties provide bold, sculptural forms. These forms play against the olive’s softer, rounded habit. If the climate permits, a dwarf citrus variety can be used as a large shrub accent. Citrus shares the sun and drainage requirements while introducing deep green foliage and a seasonal burst of color or fragrance.
Design Considerations for Visual Harmony
Achieving visual harmony relies on strategic placement and aesthetic choices. The Little Ollie’s deep green leaves with silvery-gray undersides serve as a neutral anchor in the garden. This suggests a color palette of silvers, blues, and pale yellows for companions. Using plants with silvery foliage, such as artemisias or Blue Fescue, enhances the olive’s metallic sheen and creates a cohesive, cool-toned design. Textural contrast is achieved by pairing the olive’s fine, lance-shaped leaves with broad-leaved plants like Yucca or the dense, mounding habit of Lavender.
Practical placement is crucial for the long-term health of the olive, especially regarding spacing. Companion plants should be positioned far enough away from the Little Ollie’s base to prevent competition for water and nutrients. This spacing also allows for adequate air circulation around the olive’s trunk, which prevents fungal issues. Maintaining a clean, mulched area immediately surrounding the trunk is beneficial. This ensures companions do not overshadow or crowd the olive as it matures to its potential 6-to-12-foot height and width.
Incompatible Plants to Avoid
The primary consideration when selecting unsuitable plants is avoiding species that contradict the Little Ollie’s preference for sharp drainage and lean soil. Plants requiring consistently high moisture, such as Hydrangeas, certain ferns, or common annual flowers like Lobelia, should be avoided. The increased water required to sustain these moisture-loving plants quickly leads to saturated soil conditions, which encourages root rot and fungal diseases in the olive.
Plants that demand rich, heavily amended soil or frequent, high-nitrogen fertilization are also incompatible, as these conditions are unnecessary and detrimental to the olive. Aggressive, moisture-seeking root systems, such as those found in turf grasses or some larger shrubs, will compete directly for resources. Planting turf or spreading groundcovers too close to the trunk can also trap moisture, leading to issues at the root collar.