Little Ollie (Olea europaea ‘Montra’) is a dwarf, non-fruiting olive cultivar. This versatile evergreen shrub typically reaches 4 to 6 feet tall and wide, though size can vary with pruning. Its dense, fine-textured foliage features deep green leaves with silvery undersides, offering year-round visual interest. Pairing Little Ollie with suitable companion plants enhances the landscape, creating a cohesive and thriving garden.
Why and How to Choose Little Ollie Companion Plants
Companion planting with Little Ollie enhances the garden’s visual appeal and health. Choosing the right plants creates a harmonious aesthetic, blending textures and colors while meeting environmental needs. This approach can also contribute to soil health and deter common garden pests.
Successful companion planting requires matching Little Ollie’s environmental needs. It thrives in full sun, needing at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, and well-drained soil. Once established, it is heat and drought-tolerant. Therefore, suitable companion plants should share preferences for sunny conditions, fast-draining soil, and resilience to dry spells. Consider plants with complementary growth habits, avoiding those that might aggressively compete for resources or overshadow Little Ollie.
Recommended Companion Plants for Little Ollie
Several plant types complement Little Ollie, thriving in similar conditions. Mediterranean herbs are an excellent choice due to their shared preference for full sun and well-drained soil. Lavender, with its fragrant purple blooms, is a classic pairing, offering visual contrast and a pleasing aroma. Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, and Marjoram are other aromatic herbs that blend well, providing diverse textures and scents.
Drought-tolerant perennials and shrubs also make good companions, contributing varied forms and colors. Catmint (Nepeta) produces clusters of blue flowers and aromatic gray-green foliage, adapting to various soil conditions. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) offers vibrant blooms and tolerates dry soils, while Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) provides soft, silvery foliage. Sedum varieties, with their succulent leaves and late-season blooms, are resilient and add interesting texture.
Ornamental grasses introduce movement and fine texture to the landscape around Little Ollie. Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) forms compact, blue-green mounds that contrast with the olive’s foliage. Mexican Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima) provides a wispy, flowing element. These grasses, along with plants like Flax Lily, contribute to a natural, unstructured look that aligns with Mediterranean garden aesthetics.
Planting and Ongoing Care
Proper planting and initial care are important for establishing Little Ollie and its companions. Ensure adequate spacing for mature size, preventing overcrowding and promoting good air circulation. Little Ollie can reach up to 6 feet in height and width. Prepare well-drained soil; olives adapt to various soil types, including rocky sites, but will not tolerate soggy conditions.
After planting, consistent watering is necessary for the first 6 months to 2 years to help Little Ollie develop a robust root system. Once established, Little Ollie is drought-tolerant, requiring infrequent watering. Companion plants should have similar low water needs. Fertilizing annually in spring with a general-purpose fertilizer supports healthy growth for the entire planting.
Plants to Avoid
Avoid plants with very different environmental needs when selecting companions for Little Ollie. Plants requiring consistently wet or poorly drained soil would struggle and could cause root issues for the olive. Aggressive plants with extensive root systems might outcompete Little Ollie for water and nutrients. Plants preferring deep shade are also unsuitable, as Little Ollie demands full sun exposure to flourish.