Olea 'Verdale' (Olive Tree)

Olea 'Verdale' (Olive Tree) Details

Olea ‘Verdale’ is a variety of Olive tree grown for its high yields of medium sized fruit. The fruit are often squeezed to produce an oil with a distinct, pleasant taste or they can be eaten fresh. They are dark purple-black when mature in autumn and originate from white-cream flowers in summer. The foliage comprises grey-green leaves which is held on rigid branches. This evergreen typically grows to 3 m tall and the same wide, performing best when grown in full sun on a well-drained site. It is tolerant of extended dry periods, moderate frost, and cool climates, and some wind, though will benefit from protection while establishing. Olea ‘Verdale’ is one of the more popular varieties grown in NZ and is often grown for fruit production. This olive also makes for an impressive specimen tree and is useful for screening, using as a windbreak, or being trimming either into a hedge or for topiary. For an olive tree hedge, space the plants 75 cm to 1 m apart.