63 responses

1. Hi Shirley

   Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

   Gardening challenges like yours require an investigation of the surrounds and even what is happening on the other side of the wall. Are there perhaps other trees in close proximity or is there perhaps another factor like shade? Has the Water Pear (Syzygium guineense) only started looking sad recently or was it weak from the start?

   At 9 years, I doubt that it is competition for water. It could You may have a case of root competition or something underground that has affected the water pear.

   If the water pear tree is still able to be saved, perhaps book a consultation with a local arborist or nursery person as a site inspection may reveal possible causes and remedies for this.

   Flourish!
   Glenice

2. I have a Buddleja Saligna planted next to our garden wall & about 2 meters in from it, there is a Water Pear that is not at all happy. Both were planted at the same time about 9 years ago. I have been told that the Buddleja is more than likely taking all the water from that section of the garden so the water pear is slowly dying. Does this sound right?

3. Hi Elrien

   Thanks for your feedback and so glad to hear that our information is serving you in Namibia.

   Flourish!
   Glenice

4. I have read through all your answers on the Buddleja Saligna … I am so glad to stumble across your site . Thank you so much ! Greetings from Namibia

5. Hi Jaco

   Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

   Buddleja saligna can be encouraged to produce foliage lower down if trimmed correctly. I’d recommend pruning in stages over several seasons in order to retain the tree’s natural shape.

   Flourish!
   Glenice

6. Hi King

   Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

   It sounds like your tree may have a bit of frost damage. If this is the case, the trees should recover in summer. The branches with the black leaves may be dead, but leave them for now and prune them in September once all signs of cold spells are over.

   Flourish!
   Glenice

7. Hi. I had to cut back my false olive as it was hanging over our pool and i couldnt walk past the backside of the pool. It provides a screen between us and the neighbors. It is quite empty lower down now. How can i get it to grow bushy lower down? Should i trim the tops down? It is already about 3m-3.5m tall

8. Good day,

   I planted 5 x 40L false olives in early May.
   The leaves on some of them are turning black, any reason for this ?
   I have been watering them about once every two weeks

9. Hi Kabelo

   Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

   Buddleja saligna is a wonderful plant to attract beneficial wildlife such as bees and butterflies to the garden. Remember that these creatures are key pollinators and their numbers are kept in check by predators such as birds and lizards. The caterpillars are likely the initial life stage of butterflies or moths.

   I would not encourage any interference with this cycle of nature, but rather embrace the act that you’ve created habitat to sustain these incredibly useful creatures.

   Flourish!
   Glenice

10. I planted 2 Buddleja saligna in my garden about 3 years ago. And I have noticed a lot of caterpillars and butterflies in my garden and on the walls of my house the last two years around spring/summer. Could the Buddleja salignabe be contributing to this influx of caterpillars. Is the anything I can do to stop this.

11. Hi Phil

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    In our experience, yellowing leaves on Buddleja saligna is very often a case of over-watering as this tree is sensitive to prolonged periods of excess water.

    Check that your soil is draining adequately to a depth of at least 30cm and allow it to dry completely between watering periods.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

12. Hi there

    I have planted a lot of Buddleja salignas hoping to form a hedge and they are all dying 🙁
    Their leaves have gone yellow and brown. How do I tell What is wrong and hard to rectify it?
    I can’t find any information even on this thread about the specific diseases they can get and how to treat them.
    Please can you point me in the right direction?
    Thank you

13. Hi Keith

    I find that a Buddleja saligna hedge is best grown from low, bushy plants and since it’s fast-growing will be easier to train and prune to the desired effect.

    Your ‘tree-shaped’ plants may not produce a dense foliage lower down, but that will depend on their current structure.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

14. Good morning Glenice,
    Quick one. Have you had experience with Buddleja saligna . I have some 20L plants about 2-2.5m high. I want to use them in a hedge about 1.6 to 1.8m high. They have been pruned to tree shape (lower shoots pruned). If I plant them in a hedge and prune the tops off, will they reshoot from lower down the stem. (Edited)
    Any advice would be welcome.

15. Hi Ingrid

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    The fruit of Buddleja saligna is very tiny so unlikely to be eaten by dassies.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

16. Will Dassies eat the fruit of the Buddleja Salinga?

17. Hi Glenise

    Thank you so much for getting back to me and for the detailed feedback.
    I have backed off with the watering and oddly enough found one of those small water meters, and started using it this evening to check.

    I do hope they survive, a lot to learn with a new garden. Take care.
    Cheers
    Bill

18. Hi Bill

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    When plants die from over-watering, there are usually affected by fungal growth in the soil. These bad fungi thrive in moist conditions and remain alive in the soil for as long as the conditions are optimal. Chances are that some will still be present in your soil.

    You seem to have addressed the drainage issue with the installation of the French drain but you seem to be experiencing signs of over-watering with the new trees as well.

    Your watering schedule will depend on your soil type. As Buddleja saligna prefers well-drained soil, I recommend adjusting your watering frequency and allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. Perhaps purchase an inexpensive soil moisture meter from your local nursery or hardware store to better assess the soil moisture level. It is best to water deeply less often as this allows the tree to develop a healthy, deep root system. Buddleja saligna is very hardy, and can tolerate long dry periods.

    All the best.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

19. Hello.
    We have just had 2 planted to replace one that died during to excess water. We have had a French drain installed and these two (250 liters from nursery 2.5/3 meters) and the last two from the original planting have now been planted/re-planted. The two larger/newer ones are adjacent to the drain. My question is this; we have been told to give them 20 liters of water every 2 days for 2 years. The leaves on the larger 3 meter are curling slightly, and we wonder is if this too much water and what should we be giving them. The old replanted are over a year old but also due to flooding are struggling, the 3 meter is in the ground for a month and the last is about 2 weeks.
    We are in the Overstrand, Betty’s Bay to be exact which is very windy, and we have no water issues.
    Many thanks for any insight or advice we can be given.
    Bill
    Buddleja saligna

20. Hi Maureen

    The smaller, low-down branches tend to support the growth of the trunk which will help the plant support the heavy blossoms. So it’s not healthy for the tree to trim these away as it will then require a stake for a lot longer.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

21. Thank you for the reply with regard to the flowers on my false olive trees, they are young and last year they started bushing out at the bottom, I cut out all the small branches low down and kept the biggest and strongest branch/trunk, did I do the right thing? I want them to grow as trees and not bushes

22. Hi Maureen

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Buddleja saligna naturally has a drooping appearance so it sounds like your tree is doing exactly what it should. They can seem to be top-heavy when they are still young especially when they are wet during and after a storm, but I’d recommend leaving it and allowing the plant to grow into its natural form. Remember that the flowers are providing nectar to several insects so removing them could starve a population that shares your space.

    If your tree is still young, perhaps it may require a stake to support it.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

23. My false olive tree has just flowered and the whole top is dropping like crazy, can I remove the flowers to make it stand upright?

24. Hi Thabo

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    This is something we’ve never encountered before.

    Are you sure that the oil is coming from the Buddleja saligna? What distance is the tree from the paving?

    Flourish!
    Glenice

25. Hello. Our Buddleja Salina is giving off oil from the stem and its overrunning on the pavement. What could be the cause?

26. Hi Tracey

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    It is rather sad when trees die, but it is part of nature’s lifecycle and an opportunity to reintroduce a new plant to your garden. It sounds like your tree may not have been a Buddleja saligna as these do not bear olives.

    Perhaps visit your local garden centre for a suitable replacement.

    Floursh!
    Glenice

27. I had a false olive in my complex house garden. It grew to its full size and flowered once and produces olives once. A year later it started shedding a lot of leaves even in summer and taryed dying from the top down and the dead top part looked like it scorched. One of the main branches was completely dead. It gradually died back and ultimately we had to get it removed. My heart was broken, because I loved that tree and was my pride and joy and was beautiful. What could have caused it to die? I do have photos of the dying tree.

28. Hi Stefan

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    The pollen of many plants can aggravate the sinuses for people who are particularly sensitive to pollen. While Buddleja saligna may be in flower at present, it is difficult to isolate it as the prime culprit for a spiked aggravation as many plants are currently in flower and pollen can travel over great distances.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

29. Good morning.

    Do the Buddleja Saligna cause sinus, that you know of?

    Kind regards.

30. Hi Imelda

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Yes, Buddleja saligna will be able to grow in Underberg. It is in fact, quite frequently found growing naturally in the area.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

31. Hi there

    Will this plant be able to grow in Underberg? It’s very cold in winter and rains a lot in summer.

32. Hi Chiara

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    As far as I’m aware, Buddleja saligna is not toxic to pets. Cats seem to enjoy the rough bark for sharpening their claws and will climb up a larger tree.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

33. Hello 🙂 is the false olive toxic to cats and dogs? Thank you

34. Hi Theresa

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Both Buddleja saligna and Dais cotinifolia are fantastic trees that can grow next to each other. Remember to allow adequate spacing between them to avoid root competition and to allow space for their foliage crowns to show off their true beauty. I’d recommend a planting distance of at least 6m.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

35. Hi there. Can I plant the Buddleja next to a Dais Cotinofolia?

36. Hi Mark

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    The growth of Buddleja salinga tends to be stunted when grown in a pot. Perhaps also consider smaller-growing alternatives such as:
    – Ilex mitis (Cape holly)
    – Warburgia Salutaris (Pepper-Bark Tree)
    – Diospyros whyteana (Bladdernut)

    Flourish!
    Glenice

37. I have a paved space of approximately 1 m between my swimming pool. and perimeter wall. I am looking to plant a quick growing plant / trees as a screen. I currently have 5 cement pots about 1m x 075 m that I would want to use. Would Buddleja saligna be suitable ? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
    Thanking you in advance

38. Hi Dennis

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Yes, Buddleja saligna will work as a windbreak.

    It’s best to plant them 1m apart to get a dense hedge.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

39. Hi. I need to plant a windbreak for our storage facility. Preferably I want to shape it like a hedge not higher than 2m. It was recommended to use Leylandii cypress, but difficult to get in Bloemfontein.
    Another recommendation was Buddleja saligna. As the Buddleja is available and a hardy plant, would you recommend us using it. If so what spacing would be the best?

40. Hi Michelle

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Buddleja saligna is generally very hardy and grows in many conditions. Perhaps check with your local nursery as they may have more detailed knowledge specific to your conditions.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

41. Can I plant this in the Northern Cape, extreme temperatures and saline soil / water

42. Hi Santie

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Buddleja saligna may work as a windbreak if planted 3m apart. There are, however other species you may also consider:

    – Brachylaena discolor (Silver oak)
    – Tarchonanthus camphoratus (Camphor bush)
    – Harpephyllum caffrum (Wild plum)
    – Pittosporum viridiflorum (Cheesewood)

    Flourish!
    Glenice

43. Hi Ignatius

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    You should always aim to plant at the same depth that your trees are in their bags.

    I recommend using an organic fertiliser as there is minimal risk in altering soil properties. Remember to also apply a generous proportion of compost to your soil and to apply mulch around the trees.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

44. Hello
    We have cut down a 30m Tipuana that caused havoc with walls and driveway. I have purchased two false olives to
    allow for fast growth and screening along the fence plan to grow to 4m? which will be sufficient Please advise planting depth and type of fertilizer for initial and around to use. The area is in full sun .

45. Hi there. Can you use / plant the false olive trees as windbreaks in the Swellendam(Southern Cape) area ?
    If yes……how far apart from each other?

46. Hi Christine

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Buddleja salinga is generally hardy and tolerant of a variety of climatic conditions. However, a garden situation may sometimes have factors that can stress the plant. For example, I saw one instance where some trees had been over-watered for a prolonged period. This lead to a fungal infection and an attack by scale-like insects.

    They are also a host plant to caterpillar species so some leaves may have signs of being eaten. Note that this is for a short period and barely noticeable as the caterpillars are few in number.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

47. Hello Glenice
    Are these trees prone to any serious diseases?

48. Hi Jorrie

    Thanks for visting Plantbook.

    Yes, you may plant Buddleja saligna close to paving but allow at least 2-3m from the edge to provide space for the plant to grow.

    The fruit is a small brown capsule that develops in the dead flowers and contains several minute seeds.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

49. Hi Glenice,

    Can I plant it next to paving or street ? Will the root system effect it? Where can I see how does the seeds look like? Is it small? Does the plant produce friut?

50. Hi Al

    The Buddleja saligna plant starts flowering from about 4 years of age.

    Flowering season is throughout summer from September through to April.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

51. How you bo these plants begin to flower?
    Al Nicoll

52. Hi Helmine

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Yes, Buddleja saligna can be planted in a cement pot. Make sure your pot is at least 1m wide and 1m high to give your tree adequate room to grow a healthy root system.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

53. Can I plant the false olive in a cement pot?

54. Hi Aaron

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Yes, Buddleja saligna will thrive in your area.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

55. Would these trees be suitable to plant in the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal?

56. Hi Liz

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Buddleja saligna (False Olive) are usually fuss-free plants that can withstand Gauteng winters. I’ve noticed that they do not like being over-watered, so rather allow more days between your watering schedule.

    They don’t need any special protecting in winter, but I’d advise you to mulch the soil.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

57. Hi, I planted two Falso Olives about a year ago. One is doing very well but the other seems to be struggling a bit. It gets regular water, compost and organic fertilizer, full sun etc. Any care tips for a young plant and will it be frost resistant in winter? Thanks

58. Hi Christine

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    As a hedge, you’d need to give the plant at least 1.5m from the wall as the roots will still require room to grow.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

59. As a hedge, would it be safe to plant it alongside a wall?

    Thanks!

60. Hi Nic

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    The roots are not considered aggressive. However, their depth and characteristics will depend on the soil conditions and your gardening practices.

    As a guide, do not plant the tree less than 3m from any structure as the roots can spread up to 10m and will vary in depth from 10mm to 4m.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

61. Hi Nomcebo

    Yes, Buddleja saligna can provide shade to a single storey house. When planting, give it at least 3m from the house to give the roots space to grow.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

62. you mention that it does not have an aggressive root system hoe deep do the roots grow and to what diameter do they spread to

63. Can it be used for shading a house in summer?