Olive tree’s new growth, originally uploaded by malyousif.

We brought this young olive tree – just about a meter and a bit in height – back with us from Italy. As I was worried about it suffering immediately if placed in the garden at that time, it was still a bit hot then, I planted it in a pot and left it inside for about a month or so. Once I saw new growth happening, I thought it was acclimatised enough to move into a prime spot in the garden, and that was exactly what I have done a few weeks ago.

Going out to inspect the garden this morning and take my customary Friday pictures, I noticed even newer growth on it since it has been planted in the garden. Needless to say, I am thrilled!

I planted a few complementary plants around it: 5 bunches of broad leaf grass (I don’t know exactly what it’s called and the garden centre I bought it from didn’t either – now their’s a surprise!) which brings out lovely small delicate light purple flowers. In between the grass I planted 3 or 4 carnations. I also placed a few asparagus to add texture to the spot.

I decided to go a step further in this area of the garden, which is on the right hand side of the main gate and is approximately 9 meters by 4.5 meters. I removed all the grass there and replaced it with two tonnes of RAK 10mm aggregate. I have created nice mounds of aggregate in there rather than leave it plain. I plan to rake it much in the style of Japanese gardens but after I find a large enough rock to place in it too. Even without that, I really like this new feature in my garden. I’ll now call it the “Olive plot”.

Have a wonderful Friday my friends!