Olive tree 'Frantoio' - plantsonkew.com

Olive tree ‘Frantoio’ – Olea europaea

Olive tree ‘Frantoio’ Olea europaea ‘Frantoio

Exotic (Italy) | Full sun | H up to 6m | W 4m

Evergreen with stunning dense silver foliage that clips well, making them ideal for topiary, hedges or espalier. Well-known for it olives, which are used to make fruity, aromatic oil. When pickled, these olives have a pleasant nutty flavour. Frantoio is a self-fertile variety that consistently produces heavy yields mid to late summer / autumn. Prolific creamy white flowers in spring.

Category / Uses: feature olive tree, hedges, topiary. Once the tree is two to three years old, it will start to bear fruit.

Position / planting / care: full sun, most soils but produce better fruit if planted in fertile, well drained soil. Feed in early spring and late summer with a well-balanced fertiliser. Water new trees regularly until they’re well established. Mature trees are very drought tolerant but will produce better fruit if watered well. To encourage growth, prune out suckers and low branches during winter, and remove the tips of stems that have grown too long. Frost hardy, drought tolerant and pest resistant.

NB Picture and notes a guide only.