Olives

Landscaping

Olives are incredibly versatile, from stand-alone trees to hedging, topiary, and being used as a houseplant. Olives respond well to pruning but adjust the pruning to suit the reason for having an Olive tree.
Culinary & Nutrition

The fruit of Olive is initially inedible. Olives may be processed either while unripe to produce "green olives" or, when ripe, to produce "black olives", as are used on pizza, Mexican food, and Mediterranean-style salads. Olive oil is rich in oleic acid and good for cardiovascular health. Contains monounsaturated fat, the 'good' cholesterol. It may help with inflammation in joints etc.
Growing Conditions

Olives prefer a reasonably sheltered environment, although air movement is needed for pollination. In high rainfall areas, ensure the plant has good drainage. Can tolerate drought conditions and can be exceptionally long-lived. A general low-nitrogen fertiliser will keep the Olive happy.

Incredible Olive Varieties

Featured

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Olive El Greco is a dense, bushy tree well suited for hedging, screening and topiary use. Also suitable for street planting and grown in containers. It is self-fertile, although, in New Zealand, its fruit production is unreliable. Trim regularly to maintain the required shape. If your El Greco does fruit, the fruit has good oil content, but the fruit is mainly used for pickling.

Although Olives are self-fertile, all will benefit from having multiple plants to maximise fruit production.

General tips for harvesting; Olives for oil production are harvested when black, but for pickling, some varieties are picked when changing from green to greenish-yellow, and others are picked when turning black.

Check out our All about Olives expert advice page for so much more on how and where to grow Olives.

Olea europaea ‘El Greco’

Olive Frantoio

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Olive Frantoio is an Italian cultivar. Heavy yield of medium oval-sized fruit is harvested early in the season. It is a large-sized tree.

Although Olives are self-fertile, all will benefit from having multiple plants to maximise fruit production.

Harvest: Olives for oil production are harvested when black, but for pickling, some varieties are picked when changing from green to greenish-yellow, and others are picked when turning black. Frantoio is one of the world's greatest Olives and is suitable for table and oil production.

Check out our All about Olives expert advice page for so much more on how and where to grow Olives.

Olea europaea ‘Frantoio’

Olive J5

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Olive J5 is a New Zealand selection requiring low chill suitable for all regions. Heavy yield of medium oval sized fruit and is an early season variety. Larger sized tree.

Although Olives are self-fertile, all will benefit from having multiple plants to maximise fruit production.

Harvest - Olives for oil production are harvested when black, but for pickling, some varieties are picked when changing from green to greenish yellow, and others are picked when turning black. J5 is suitable for pickling but black fruit will yield oil.

Check out our All about Olives expert advice page for so much more on how and where to grow Olives.

Olea europaea ‘J5’

Olive Leccino

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Olive Leccino is a Tuscany cultivar. Heavy production of medium-sized fruit early in the season. It has low acid levels and a sweet flavour. It requires a very low chill, so suitable for all regions and has an attractive, vigorous growth habit.

Although Olives are self-fertile, all will benefit from having multiple plants to maximise fruit production.

Check our expert advice page All about Olives, on for so much more on the caring for your Olive.

Olea europaea ‘Leccino’

Olive Picual

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Olive Picual is a Spanish cultivar. Heavy yield of medium oval-sized fruit and is an early season variety. An attractive fast-growing tree, but not suitable for humid regions.

Although Olives are self-fertile, all will benefit from having multiple plants to maximise fruit production.

Harvest: Olives for oil production are harvested when black, but for pickling, some varieties are picked when changing from green to greenish-yellow, and others are picked when turning black. Picual is suitable for pickling and oil production.

Check out our All about Olives expert advice page for so much more on how and where to grow Olives.

Olea europaea ‘Picual’