I'm looking to add some greenery to my front door and have narrowed it down to either bay trees or olive trees. I've done some research but would love to hear opinions on which one is the better choice. I'm located in Surrey, UK, and I'm considering factors like maintenance, growth rate, and any culinary uses. Any insights would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Both options need big pots and some care. Bay trees can be trimmed to keep them smaller, which is nice if space is tight. They also provide those delicious bay leaves for cooking! Olive trees are a bit more forgiving when it comes to drying out but are also more delicate in winter. If your front door gets a lot of sun, consider that when choosing! Or, why not go for one of each? You can always replace whichever one doesn't make it!
I've had bay trees by my front door for 8 years and they've been great! They look nice, get decent light (though they love more), and I have to bring them in during winter since they're not frost-proof. A little pruning each summer and I'm set! Plus, I use the leaves for cooking, which is super handy!
From my experience, olive trees grow pretty slowly, and if you're looking for lots of leaves, they might not deliver. I've had mine in the ground and it's doing better, but it's still not very fast. I'm eyeing some bay trees for my patio because they seem like a good option for pots!
Great suggestion! I was considering that, too. It might be fun to have a bit of variety!