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Container grown Olive tree with other plants

HeyHo!HeyHo! Posts: 113
edited August 2020 in Plants
I have a huge expanse of earth around my Olive tree which is in a large pot. Can I plant either Mexican fleabane or Viola Martini around the tree to fill up the space?
Looking around at other Olive trees grown in containers do not have other plants  around them so puzzled about why this is so.
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  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    I wouldn't as you would need quite a big pot to keep both well fed and happy. Olives being productive trees need attention and I find being able to inspect the soil important. Also in most pots I'd think their root system would be disturbed by underplanting and wouldn't like to add competition and stress. Easy enough to top dress to improve the appearance of you don't fancy looking at the soil.
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I would agree. Grit/gravel is a nice way to finish off any potted plant.

    Violas also do better with moisture, while Erigeron doesn't - it's the opposite.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I agree too, olive trees are fairly shallow-rooted, with lots of feeder roots near the surface so a smart mulch on top would be best. If you wanted to brighten up the area, better to arrange separate pots around it, planted up with colourful flowers.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • HeyHo!HeyHo! Posts: 113
    Thank you, will get boulders, grit to decorate. However, Erigeron doesnt need moisture and is grows in conditions similar to Olive trees.  Olive tree with Ergeron - wouldn't they work together well?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If that was mine [ although they don't grow here ] I'd get a really smart pot for it, top dress with grit,  and then do as @Nollie suggests with other plants beside it, which can be changed seasonally or similar. That way, you can have plants which like differing conditions, without interfering with the olive.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • HeyHo!HeyHo! Posts: 113
    Noted, thank you for your advice :)
  • HeyHo!HeyHo! Posts: 113
    Nollie said:
    I agree too, olive trees are fairly shallow-rooted, with lots of feeder roots near the surface so a smart mulch on top would be best. If you wanted to brighten up the area, better to arrange separate pots around it, planted up with colourful flowers.

    It makes sense if Olive trees have feeder roots near the surface and logically would not tolerate even small plants! I'll look out for some decorative stones and gravel. Thank you.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    Sorry for butting in....would the same apply to a bay tree in a pot (in regards to the roots and space)?  I was gonna put a few bulbs in the pot (aconite/daffs)  
  • HeyHo!HeyHo! Posts: 113
    jamessayersbrown said:
    Sorry for butting in....would the same apply to a bay tree in a pot (in regards to the roots and space)?  I was gonna put a few bulbs in the pot (aconite/daffs)  
    I have a Bay tree in a pot too. It has had all sorts of little plants in the container that doesnt interrupt with this vigourous tree.  The roots go deep (unlike olive trees), enough to burst through the bottom of the pot and now I can't move it. So I've made it into a standard tree and keeping an eye on it as it is too close to the house.
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    Thanks @Sweetbubbles I'll pop a few bulbs in and then, if it is all fine, will perhaps plant something in their next spring when the bulbs are done. 
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