The shady lady black olive tree is a unique and beautiful ornamental tree that can provide wonderful shade and visual interest to landscapes in USDA growing zones 9-11 If you are looking to add one of these intriguing trees to your yard, here is what you need to know about finding shady lady trees for sale.
What is a Shady Lady Tree?
The shady lady black olive, also sometimes called the ‘Bonsai’ black olive, is a cultivar of the European olive tree (Olea europaea). It gets its name from its graceful, tiered branching structure that gives it an oriental, bonsai-like shape when young.
As the tree matures, the whorled tiers of branches create a funky, irregular look. Eventually, the shady lady black olive forms a rounded, umbrella-shaped canopy that can reach up to 30 feet tall and wide at maturity. The trees are evergreen, have tiny olive-like foliage, and develop attractive silvery-gray bark as they age.
One of the signature features of the shady lady olive is its spaced out openly branched structure. This gives the tree a light airy look and allows sunlight to filter through, creating a dappled shade below.
Why Grow a Shady Lady Tree?
There are many reasons to consider adding a shady lady olive tree to your landscape:
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Ornamental Features With its twisted shape, silver foliage and branches and oriental appeal this olive makes a stunning focal point.
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Filtered Shade: The open canopy provides light, airy shade – ideal for sitting and relaxing beneath.
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Small Care Needs: Shady ladies are low maintenance once established and tolerate heat, drought, salt spray, and poor soil.
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Fruit Production: Though not abundant, the tree does produce tiny edible olives.
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Good for Screening: Plant in a row to create an attractive, light-filtering privacy screen.
So if you want something a little different that offers form, function, and ornamental flair, a shady lady olive could be perfect!
Where to Find Shady Lady Trees for Sale
Shady lady olive trees may not be available at all mainstream garden centers. Here are some tips on where to find them for sale:
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Specialty Nurseries – Ask at independent nurseries or those focused on selling fruit trees, Mediterranean plants, or unusual ornamentals.
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Online Nurseries – Search for ‘shady lady olive tree’ on Google to find mail order and online sellers. Garden Center North Fort Myers in Florida sells them online.
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Local Classifieds – Check Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or newspaper classifieds in your area for people selling shady lady trees.
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Wholesale Nurseries – Contact wholesale growers in your region and ask if they supply these trees to local retailers or if you can buy direct.
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Farmers Markets – Some small, specialty growers sell their ornamental and fruit trees at local farmers markets.
What Size Shady Lady Tree to Purchase
Shady lady olive trees are sold in a range of sizes, from 1 gallon pots to 25 gallon trees that stand 8-10 feet tall. In general, here are some guidelines on what size to purchase:
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1 to 5 gallon: Best to plant in the ground and let it grow into a large tree over many years. Requires staking until established.
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15 gallon – A good semi-mature size of 4-6 feet tall. Still requires some staking but fills in more quickly.
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25 gallon – A mature shady lady of around 8-10 feet in height. Makes an instant impact but requires professional planting.
Make sure any tree you buy has a good central leader and tiers of horizontal branching starting low. This ensures it will grow into the classic shady lady shape.
Caring for Your Shady Lady Olive Tree
To help your new shady lady olive thrive:
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Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil. They tolerate poor, alkaline soil.
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Water deeply 2-3 times per week until established, then 1-2 times per week in dry weather.
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Apply a slow release fertilizer 2-3 times per year.
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Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches – never prune the tiers or top.
With the proper care and conditions, your shady lady olive should flourish, providing beauty and wonderful dappled shade!
The shady lady black olive stands out for its graceful shape, silvery foliage, and oriental bonsai aesthetic. Though unusual, these trees can make a stunning addition to landscapes in warm regions. Seek out specialty growers and nurseries to find shady lady trees for sale, then plant in a spot where its filtered shade and artful form can be showcased. With simple care focused on deep watering and fertilization, you’ll be enjoying your unique shady lady olive tree for years to come!
Bougainvillea: Fall Blooms for Seasonal Cheer
Autumn may cool the air, but Bougainvillea keeps adding vibrancy to your garden. These flowering climbers thrive in Sarasota’s sunny fall weather, making them perfect for a festive landscape.
- The bracts on Coconut Ice are pure white with a soft pink blush, giving it an elegant look. Its blooms go well with any fall decor, which makes it perfect for Thanksgiving dinners outside.
- Autumn Care Tips: Bougainvillea prefers to dry out between waterings. Prune sparingly to keep it tidy for holiday gatherings.
- According to the description, Blueberry Ice has bright purple and white bracts that make your garden stand out. You can climb it over fences or trellises to make a colorful welcome for holiday guests.
- Autumn Care Tips: Fertilize lightly for extended blooming. Be prepared to protect from any unexpected cold snaps.
Hardwood Trees: Garden Giants with Autumn Appeal
When thinking about autumn in Sarasota, it’s all about enjoying the subtle drop in humidity and temperatures, making garden work a joy. Hardwood trees become the unsung heroes of the season, providing beauty, shade, and a perfect setting for outdoor celebrations and family gatherings.
- Shady Lady Tree (Bucida buceras): This tree is known for its beautiful, falling branches and thick, lush canopy. It gives any yard a touch of class. It makes a great place to relax in the shade and is great for Thanksgiving dinners or quiet time outside. With its ability to handle drought and low upkeep needs, it’s a good choice for Florida and does well here. These beautiful plants are on sale for a very low price during our Thanksgiving Day Sale (source: Florida Native Plant Society).
- Live Oak (Quercus virginiana): Live Oaks are beautiful all year, even in the fall. Their spreading branches make a natural canopy that’s great for getting together outside. Most of these oaks’ leaves stay on all year, giving your garden a classic, consistent look. (Source: University of Florida IFAS Extension).
- Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora): When it gets cooler, Southern Magnolias keep their lush, glossy green leaves. Decorate them with lights for a holiday-ready landscape.
- If you want to see traditional fall colors, the Florida Maple (Acer barbatum) is a great choice. Its leaves turn orange and gold, which is not often seen in Sarasota. It’s a lovely addition for seasonal events and family photos.
- Cooler Weather: When trees are planted in the fall, they are under less stress, which gives their roots time to grow before the heat comes back.
- Setting the mood: A well-placed hardwood tree, like the Shady Lady, can give your outdoor space a sense of stability, making it perfect for holiday meals or gatherings.
THE MUST-HAVE FAUX TREE – Comparing Faux Shady Lady Trees with Designer Mollie Openshaw
FAQ
How tall does a shady lady tree get?
Terminalia buceras is a medium-sized, fast-growing tree that reaches 40-50 ft high and 35-50 ft wide. The crown is pyramidal shape when young, maturing into oval-shaped.
What is the difference between an olive tree and a shady lady tree?
Style: Olive trees have small, gray-green leaves and gnarled trunks. They can grow up to 40 feet tall. In contrast, black olive trees, also known as Shady Lady or Bucida Buceras, are smaller (about 20 feet tall and wide), with more rounded, glossy, dark green leaves.
Are shady lady trees messy?
A non-messy tree, Shady Lady’s leaves are tiny and won’t cause leaf litter – and fallen flowers will blow away in the breeze. Water on a regular basis with enough time in between waterings to let the tree dry out a bit. Fertilize 3 times a year – spring, summer and autumn – with a good quality granular fertilizer.
Are shady lady roots invasive?
Shady lady has breeding and is a smaller, generally about a 35 by 35 foot, and is an improved variety without aggressive roots and insect problems.