Tolley's Upright Olive Trees in Perth — Mediterranean Elegance Without the Mess
 
The Tolley's Upright Olive (Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright') is one of the most elegant and versatile ornamental olive varieties available in Perth — delivering all the timeless Mediterranean beauty of an olive tree in a refined upright form, virtually without the mess of fruit drop that makes fruiting olives unsuitable for many Perth garden situations. With its striking silvery-green foliage, naturally upright habit, and outstanding drought and coastal tolerance, it's a genuinely low-maintenance feature tree that suits a remarkable range of Perth garden uses.
 
All the Beauty of an Olive — Without the Fruit
 
The Tolley's Upright is grown primarily for its ornamental value rather than fruit production — it's a low-fruiting variety that produces minimal fruit, making it the perfect choice for Perth streetscapes, driveways, patios, courtyards, and any garden situation where falling olives would be a nuisance. All the iconic silvery-green Mediterranean foliage, the beautiful gnarled character of a mature olive, and the timeless elegance the olive family is famous for — without the cleanup.
 
In late spring to early summer it produces small, creamy-white fragrant flowers that add further ornamental interest, before the minimal fruit set that distinguishes this variety from productive fruiting olives.
 
Upright, Versatile and Perfectly Suited to Perth
 
The Tolley's Upright's naturally upright, compact form makes it one of the most versatile olive varieties for Perth gardens. It can be grown as a single-leader feature tree, shaped into a formal hedge or screen, trained as an espalier against a wall or fence, or grown in a large container on a Perth patio or courtyard. It responds very well to pruning and maintains its elegant upright structure with minimal effort.
 
At 7 metres tall and 4 metres wide at maturity it provides genuine height and presence without excessive spread — ideal for Perth suburban gardens where space is valued.
 
Key Features at a Glance
Mature height: 7 metres
Mature width: 4 metres
Aspect: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Well-drained soils; tolerates poor and sandy soils — suited to Perth's coastal soils
Evergreen: Yes — silvery-green lanceolate foliage year-round
Fruit: Virtually fruitless — low-fruiting ornamental variety
Flowers: Small fragrant cream-white, late spring to early summer
Drought tolerant: Yes — excellent once established
Coastal tolerant: Yes
Growth rate: Slow — long-lived tree
Note: Not suited to waterlogged soils
Best suited to: Feature trees, street planting, hedging, espalier, containers, Perth Mediterranean-style gardens
 
Growing Tolley's Upright Olive in Perth
 
Plant in full sun in well-drained, humus-rich soil. The Tolley's Upright thrives in Perth's sandy coastal soils and handles extended dry periods with ease once established — one of the most drought-tolerant ornamental trees available in WA. Mulch well at planting and water regularly through the first season to establish strong roots, then reduce watering significantly.
 
Prune after flowering to promote new growth and encourage the desired shape — it responds beautifully to pruning whether being maintained as a formal hedge, a single-leader specimen, or a container plant. Avoid waterlogged positions.
 
Best Suited To
Ornamental feature trees in Perth Mediterranean-style gardens
Street and verge planting — no fruit drop issue
Formal hedging and screening in Perth gardens
Espalier training against walls and fences
Large containers on Perth patios and courtyards
Driveway and avenue planting where fruit mess must be avoided
Coastal Perth gardens — outstanding salt and drought tolerance
 
Order Your Tolley's Upright Olive Online
 
Perth Trees Direct delivers healthy, established Tolley's Upright Olive trees direct to your door across the Perth metro area. Professional planting and installation can be added using the dropdown above. Contact us at info@perthtreesdirect.com.au if you have any questions about whether the Tolley's Upright Olive is right for your Perth garden.