Olive trees add a slice of the Mediterranean to the garden. Cultivated from time immemorial for their fruit, many varieties of olive also make attractive ornamental trees, great screening and even can be used for informal hedges.
SOIL |
Olives prefer well drained, low to medium fertile soil. |
PLANTING SITE |
Olives grow best in sunny, sheltered sites. |
WATERING |
Water well during the early stages, during long dry periods and when the fruit is developing. |
CLIMATE |
Olive trees will grow well in most areas of New Zealand, as long as the right variety is selected for the climate conditions. |
PESTS & DISEASES |
Olives are relatively hardy to pests and diseases. The main problem is ‘peacock spot’ on the leaves, which can often be attributed to poor tree health. |
PLANTING IDEAS |
Olive trees are great for a variety of garden uses, including specimen trees, hedges and even espalier training. |
FRUIT |
Olives ripen in Autumn. |
POLLINATION |
Some varieties are self fertile, but as a general rule more than one variety of olive should be planted to ensure good pollination if fruit is desired. |
TREE SIZE |
Can reach 10m in height, though this can be contained by pruning or growing in a large container. |
REGIONAL VARIETY GUIDE
NORTH ISLAND, TOP OF SOUTH ISLAND & WEST COAST
Most varieties
CANTERBURY
Leccino, Frantoio & Sourani
OTAGO & SOUTHLAND
Leccino & Frantoio
VARIETY GUIDE BY FRUIT USE
OIL |
Chemlali, Koroneiki, Picual. |
PICKLING |
Kalamata (limited availability) |
OIL & PICKLING |
Frantoio, Leccino, Manzanilla, Nocellara, Pendolino, Picholine. |
Varieties suitable for Ornamental Usage:
For Larger Gardens: |
Frantoio, Leccino, Nocellara, Picual |
Compact growing varieties for Smaller Gardens: |
Chemlali, Koroneiki |
Salt tolerant varieties for Coastal Gardens: |
Koroneiki |
Varieties for Informal screening and hedging: |
Taller: Picual Smaller: Chemlali, Koroneiki |
Hardier varieties for Colder areas: |
Leccino, Frantoio, Picual, Picholene |
For Lining driveways and Avenue planting: |
Chemlali, Frantoio, Leccino, Picual |