Desert Olive

Forestiera pubescens

Oleaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · introduced

Last updated March 8, 2026

Quick Facts

Height

10 ft

Growth Rate

Moderate

Light

Full Sun

Soil

Wet Tolerant

Water

Moderate

Hardiness

Zones 4a–8b

Bloom Time

Mar 1-Mar 31

Origin

Southwestern US (California, Arizona

View full calendar (7 stages)

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	Feb 15-Mar 15	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible
Bloom start BBCH 61	Mar 1-Mar 31	First open flowers visible; flowers yellow
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Apr 1-Apr 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Mar 1-Apr 1	First leaves fully unfurled on new growth
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: black
Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93	Oct 1-Nov 15	Leaves changing color; fall display beginning
Dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15-Feb 28	Leafless; no active growth; dormant buds set

Data Maturity

Baseline Extension data. Expert review underway.