Shady Lady, Bucida Buceras, Black Olive

A Black Olive Shady Lady Tree is such a striking choice! With its glossy green leaves and beautiful, dense canopy, it can be a stunning centerpiece in your space. Here's a design idea for integrating it into your space:

1. Placement

Central Focal Point: If you have a large backyard or garden, consider placing the tree as the central focus. It can frame a seating area or a patio. The tree will offer shade and a cool, calming atmosphere with its broad canopy.

Along a Pathway: If you have a pathway or a long stretch of garden, planting a series of Black Olive Shady Lady Trees spaced out can create a gorgeous, shaded walkway. The dense foliage would also be fantastic for privacy.

Near Outdoor Living Spaces: The tree works well by outdoor seating areas, like decks, patios, or poolside's, providing shade during sunny days.

2. Surrounding Plantings

Low-Maintenance Ground Cover: Add some low-growing plants around the base of the tree. Ground covers like creeping thyme, sedum, or dwarf lavender would blend beautifully and require minimal care.

Contrast with Colorful Plants: The dark leaves of the Black Olive can be paired with vibrant flowers like bougainvillea, hibiscus, or even some tropical plants like bird-of-paradise for an exotic feel.

Succulent Garden: If you’re looking for a more drought-tolerant garden, a mix of succulents and cacti will thrive in the dry conditions the Black Olive prefers.

3. Hardscaping & Furniture

Seating Area: Create a comfortable sitting area underneath the tree for relaxation, reading, or outdoor meals. A set of teak or wicker furniture with cushions in neutral or earthy tones would complement the tree’s natural vibe.

Fire Pit: Place a fire pit near the tree’s shade area. It could become a perfect spot for evening gatherings or quiet nights.

Outdoor Lighting: String lights or lanterns can be hung around the tree or on nearby structures to enhance the ambiance after sunset.

4. Textural Balance

Smooth Stones or Gravel: Use smooth river stones or gravel as a base around the tree to give the space a modern, clean feel. The stones would contrast nicely with the texture of the tree's bark and leaves.

Wooden Elements: Wooden decking or fences around the space would pair naturally with the tree’s rustic and natural vibe.

5. Sustainability/Watering Considerations

The Black Olive is quite drought-tolerant, so if you're trying to create a low-maintenance or water-conscious garden, this tree is a great choice. Pair it with drought-resistant plants and native grasses to reduce water usage.

Care and Maintenance for Black Olive Shady Lady

Caring for a Black Olive Shady Lady indoors can be a bit tricky, but with the right conditions, it can thrive beautifully in your space.

Transition to Indoor Conditions

Acclimation: When you bring a plant indoors, it will have to adapt to different light, humidity, and temperature conditions. Water management and placement is very important during this period.

Here's a guide to help you give it the best indoor care.

Light Requirements

Bright, Indirect Light: The Black Olive Shady Lady loves bright light, but it does best when the sunlight is indirect. Placing it near a window with filtered sunlight (like through sheer curtains) will help it grow strong.

Avoid Direct Sunlight: Direct sun through windows can scorch the leaves, especially if the glass amplifies the heat, so a spot with bright but indirect light is ideal.

Supplemental Light: If your home has limited natural light, you might consider using a grow light to ensure it gets enough energy for healthy growth.

Watering

Watering Needs: Water your Black Olive when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so make sure the pot has good drainage.

Regular misting is recommended in order to increase humidity around the foliage while the soil dries out.

Avoid Soggy Soil: Let the excess water drain out of the pot and don’t let the plant sit in water. In general, it’s better to let it dry out slightly between watering's.

Humidity: Black Olives prefer moderate humidity, but they can adapt to average indoor humidity levels. If the air is too dry (especially in winter), you might want to mist the leaves occasionally or use a humidity tray.

Temperature

Ideal Temperature: These trees do best in temperatures ranging from 65-75°F (18-24°C). Avoid placing your plant in a drafty area or near heat sources like radiators, vents, or fireplaces.

Avoid Cold: Keep the plant away from cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F (10°C), as this can damage the tree.

Soil and Potting

Well-Draining Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix for tropical or Mediterranean plants. A cactus or succulent mix works well because it won’t hold too much moisture.

Repotting: Repot your Black Olive every 1-2 years, or when it outgrows its container. Make sure the new pot is just slightly larger than the current one to prevent root rot.

Pruning and Shaping

Pruning: Trim back any dead or damaged branches to maintain the shape of the tree. If it starts to get too tall, you can prune it to keep it manageable.

Shaping: Black Olive trees are naturally dense, but you can prune to encourage a more open, bushy look or to remove excess growth. Be gentle when pruning to avoid damaging the tree.

Fertilizing

Fertilizer: During the growing season (spring and summer), you can feed your Black Olive once a month with a balanced liquid fertilizer. In fall and winter, you can reduce or stop fertilizing, as the plant will be in its dormant phase.

Pests

Keep an Eye on Pests: Although not overly susceptible, indoor plants can still attract pests like spider mites or scale insects. Check the leaves regularly for signs of pests. If you notice any, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or treat with an insecticidal soap.

General Care

Cleaning the Leaves: In the event that dust accumulate on the glossy leaves, you can mist the foliage with water and a few drops of dish soap to keep them clean and allow for better photosynthesis.

Acclimation: If you're bringing the tree indoors after it’s been outside, make sure it’s acclimated gradually to indoor conditions to prevent shock. Do not repot the plant for several weeks to allow the plant to climatize to its new environment.

With these care tips, your Black Olive Shady Lady should thrive as an indoor tree! How much natural light do you get in your space? I can help you choose the best spot for it.

Planting and Care Guide

In Ground - Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as your new plant’s root ball and deep enough so that the top of the root ball is parallel with the ground level. Place the plant in the hole and ensure that it is situated upright, use the excavated soil to back fill around the root ball, tamp down to ensure air pockets are eliminated, thoroughly soak with a hose as you fill in the dirt. A 2-3 inch layer of organic hardwood mulch is strongly recommended, it will help retain moisture and discourage weed growth.

Container Pot - Shady Lady tree is container friendly and can thrive potted for years to come, do plan on repotting every 2 years to a 2-3 inch wider container.

LIGHT EXPOSURE - Outdoors thrives in FULL SUN, indoors bright light is recommended, a window exposure will suffix.

WATER - In ground water twice a week for the first growing season, once established rain water will suffice.

POTTED PLANTS, be very careful not to over water, leaves will drop, Wait until the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch before watering, it may take 5-7 days. Mist the foliage every 2-3 days to increase moisture on the foliage as you allow the soil to dry out.

FERTILIZING – No need to fertilize right away, We fertilize our plants during the production phase with slow release fertilizer which can last an additional 2-3 months supplying residual nutrients to the plant.
You may use a fertilizer formulated for indoor or outdoor tress, preferably a slow release fertilizer 180 days duration, fertilize during spring or fall base on label instructions.

PRUNNING is recommended to maintain desire shape, you may begin to prune at some point to keep the plant healthy and control the height.

INSECTS OR DESEASES - Here’s another plus, this tree is not regularly affected by pests, however in the event that scale, mealy bugs, or mites are found to affect the plant, they can be controlled by applying horticultural neem oil that can be sprayed directly onto the insects, A second and third treatment, when using oils, will be necessary. Space out the sprays at 2 weeks intervals to break up the mealybug life cycle.

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More Frequently Ask Questions

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We Believe it is, let us prove it, our success rate of shipping plant(s) online is well over 99%.

How do you measure height for shady lady trees?

Shady Lady tree approximate height is measured from the bottom of the pot to the top of the highest branch.

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All plants are guarantee for a period of 30 days, We offer a Satisfaction Guarantee Policy.