Botanical Name: Forestiera neomexicana
Common Name: Desert olive Type of Plant: Dicot: shrub Character Habit of Growth: Overall Shape a multistemmed deciduous shrub with several - many upright stems forming a full oval to rounded canopy; lateral branchlets may be spiny-tipped Height 6 - 10' (15 ft.) Spread equal or more Growth Rate moderate - rapid Environment: Exposure full sun - thrives in hot exposed sites; tolerates shade Soil prefers sandy soils but tolerates most Hardiness hardy (zones 11-13, 18-23): best-suited to warm foothill/valley locations Morphology: Leaves pinnate, opposite (sometimes fascicled), obovate to oblong, 1 - 1 1/2"long with smotth to finely serrate margins; bright green Flowers inconspicuous, appearing before the leaves, in small clusters (March-April) Fruit a small blue-black drupe (1/4" long) Propagation: seed or hardwood cuttings Usage: a good quick-effects background or screening plant, valued for its great durability in difficult habitats; excellent for dry slopes; best for dry woodlands, desert or mediterranean theme gardens Landscape Care: Watering tolerates regular - thrives on little irrigation after established Fertilizing none required after established Pruning head back as needed to control overall size; can be trained as a hedge Pests/Diseases relatively free Special Conditions/Other grows very rapidly if watered regularly - control size by giving less water Origin: canyons of coastal and desert foohills, Riverside County to Baja California Family: Oleaceae Notes: |
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