Phillyrea angustifolia GreenQuick

Phillyrea angustifolia Green Quick is a selection of narrow-leaved Phillyrea that stands out for its dense, upright, and narrow habit. It is an evergreen shrub with fine, elegant foliage, even in winter. Perfectly adapted to long dry summers, this Phillyrea is also very cold-resistant, down to at least -15°C. Its small spring flowers are nectar-rich and fragrant, and it produces berries resembling small olives that are loved by birds in autumn. In dry or coastal areas, this shrub is ideal for creating an informal or trimmed hedge, as a privacy screen or windbreak. An excellent alternative to boxwood, it has no enemies.

Phillyrea is an evergreen shrub of the olive family, related to the olive tree and Osmanthus, native to the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East. There are two species, Phillyrea angustifolia and F. latifolia. Their natural hybrid called Phillyrea x media can have variable characteristics. GreenQuick was selected for its distinctive habit, more upright and compact than other narrow-leaved Phillyreas.

Phillyrea angustifolia GreenQuick naturally forms a small tree with a single trunk, branching from the base, with a dense and oval crown. Untouched, it rarely exceeds 3m in height and 1m in spread. Its growth is somewhat slow in poor soil and faster in more fertile soil. It bears narrow and elongated, leathery leaves, 3-5cm long and 1cm wide, with a fairly deep green colour on the upper side and paler and velvety on the underside. They are slightly glossy. Flowering occurs from March to May depending on the region. The flowers are quite inconspicuous, not exceeding 1cm in diameter, and are a slightly greenish cream colour. They are gathered in small clusters at the axils of the leaves and are nectar-rich and slightly fragrant. Flowering is followed by the formation of fruits called drupes, containing a non-edible stone. They turn a blackish-blue when ripe in autumn. This small tree can live for many years in poor and dry soil.

Very accommodating, GreenQuick Phillyrea only dislikes very cold winters, especially when young. It can be grown without reservation in coastal areas or in windy gardens, especially as a windbreak hedge. Like Pistacia lentiscus, laurel-tin, Mexican orange blossom, myrtles, and Rhamnus alaternus, it is perfect for creating an informal hedge or the persistent structure of the garden. These Mediterranean shrubs even tolerate shade and root competition. You can also grow this Phillyrea in the undergrowth, alongside acanthus, Bupleurum fruticosum, or Phlomis samia. As it tolerates repeated pruning very well, it can be used in topiary art to create original shapes.