Are you looking for the perfect plant for both your living room and your garden? Meet the shady lady tree! We have put together a simple guide that will teach you how to grow and maintain a black olive tree.
This guide will help you grow smaller shady lady plants inside from seed and full-size shady lady trees outside. We will also take a look at a pros and cons list that will help you decide if this tree is a good fit in your garden.
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First, decide whether you want to grow this tree inside or outside. Even though they are named the same, the two plants have very different requirements.
Indoor and outdoor shady lady trees differ in size. While the outside variety can reach 50 feet in height, the indoor version is much smaller.
Still, don’t forget! Shady lady plants will still grow to be quite large both in girth and length.
The plant will grow to impressive heights that might even reach your ceiling. Even if you prune it. Therefore, if you have a small apartment or house, the black olive tree is not for you!
The shady lady plant needs as much sun and warmth as you can give it.
This tree is not related to the much more well-known Mediterranean olive tree. However, the shady lady plant still needs as much sun as it can get. Therefore, if you live in a colder climate, or in a house that doesn’t receive much sunlight, your shady lady might not thrive.
How far are you willing to go for a shady lady plant? Unfortunately, as many gardening specialists will tell you, this indoor decorative tree is rare. As a result, if you have your heart set on it, start doing your research right now.
If you have a small backyard, try a dwarf black olive tree or a miniature shady lady. Both will provide the same Oriental accents to your garden without taking up too much space.
As a result, you don’t have to worry if you live in a coastal area. Shady ladies will take well to the salty air. You can also relax because these trees need little maintenance and energy from you as they are very resilient.
As the tree matures, the lower branches hang low and can encumber vehicle traffic or people passing close to them.
Other gardeners have experienced problems with the roots. According to their statements, shady lady tree roots can come up through the soil and destroy walkways and alleys in your garden.
Only plant shady lady trees in grassy areas.
Nuisance alert for gardeners with concrete alleyways! Shady lady trees produce small black fruits called olives. When they fall, they stain concrete permanently.
Shady lady trees are perfect for beginner gardeners as they require little maintenance.
Tip – Always use gloves when you are when taking care of your shady lady plant. The branches have very small spines that will prick your fingers!
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The shady lady is also called the black olive tree. We understand if you thought it’s related to the more common Mediterranean olive trees.
However, the two species of plants have nothing in common. The shady lady plant is native to Central America as opposed to real olive trees that come from the Middle East and the Mediterranean regions.
Apart from that, the shady lady does not produce edible olives, despite its name. This type of decorative tree does grow very small and black hard fruit. Hence its name, the black olive tree. Still, don’t try to eat them!
How fast does a shady lady plant grow? It all depends on what type of plant you have – indoor or outdoor and what conditions you have been growing it in.
The shady lady is an ornamental tree that will grow very fast when exposed to perfect conditions. This means as much sunlight and warmth as you can give it, moist and fertilized soil, and plenty of space for the plant to develop.
However, when talking about the shady lady tree lifespan, things change a bit if you cannot meet these proper requirements. The shady lady trees can withstand any type of climate and soil. But they might not thrive and they might not grow as fast.
They will also suffer from improper pruning or cutting of the branches as well as from parasites and pests.
If referring to the outside variety – the shady lady tree can grow to be 40 to 50 feet tall. This size only refers to shady lady trees that have been grown under the perfect conditions. This means a warm climate, plenty of sunlight, and high levels of humidity.
You can grow a black olive tree in other conditions as well. But, according to most gardeners, it will not reach a height of 40 to 50 feet.
The shady lady tree is classified as an evergreen tree. For beginner gardeners, this means that it will not shed its foliage during the cold season. It has a long and smooth trunk. Its branches are strong and wind-resistant. When the tree is young, the branches form a natural pyramid shape.
However, as the tree develops, the branches will become dense and form an oval crown. Seeing as it is a decorative tree, you will find its crown aesthetically pleasing. It is very well-known for producing shade, hence the name of the tree – the shady lady.
As the tree ages, the top will flatten and the shady lady will start to grow horizontally. You can intervene at that point and prune it. This will get the tree back to its oval shape.
Under the right conditions, a shady lady tree grows 12 inches per year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture qualifies these conditions as Arizona and California. And, sometimes, the Mediterranean region. Outside these areas, the shady lady tree will grow at a slower pace.
Yes, they do. Although specialists refer to them as spikes. They are tiny spikes that grow on the branches. They have a protective role against predators such as birds and small animals. Gardeners advise you to wear gloves at all times when you are handling your shady lady tree.
The outside tree nor the indoor smaller plant are not poisonous. However, don’t prune the tree with your bare hands! You can end up hurting yourself.
No, they are not. Shady lady trees produce small, black fruits that look like black olives, hence the name. However, they are poisonous to both humans and animals.
If you are growing a shady lady tree in your backyard, don’t allow your pets to eat any such fruits. If you have a smaller plant inside, please make sure the fruits are not within reach of children.
The black olives will also stain the surfaces they fall on and cannot be cleaned. This includes floors, carpets, and concrete walkways if you have a shady lady in your garden or backyard.
The shady lady tree is the perfect choice for every gardener who is looking for an amazing aesthetic for their living room or backyard with a minimum of maintenance. And after reading this guide on how to grow a shady lady plant you now know everything you will be facing once you buy your first shady lady plant. So, what are you waiting for? Give it a try and let us know how it went!
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