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Olea europaea 'Arberquina' - Olive, Arbequina from Mortellaros
Olive, Arbequina
Olea europaea 'Arbequina'
‘Arbequina’ Olive is a Spanish olive cultivar prized for its compact growth habit and reliable fruit production. Compared to larger olive varieties, ‘Arbequina’ tends to have a somewhat smaller canopy and begins producing at a younger age, making it popular for small orchards and residential landscapes. Its narrow gray-green foliage and softly twisting trunk give it a classic Mediterranean appearance well suited for courtyard and patio settings.
Arbequina performs best in full sun and requires excellent drainage above all else. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils and adapts well to the limestone soils common in Central Texas when planted in well-drained sites. Once established, it is highly drought tolerant and benefits from deep, infrequent irrigation. Overwatering and heavy soils greatly increase the risk of root decline and reduce cold hardiness.
In the landscape, ‘Arbequina’ is commonly used as a specimen tree, espalier candidate, or small orchard tree. Mature size typically reaches 15–20 feet tall and wide, making it slightly more manageable than some other olive cultivars. Spacing trees 12–18 feet apart allows proper canopy development and airflow. Small creamy white flowers appear in spring, followed by olives that ripen from green to purple-black. It is considered moderately deer resistant.
Like other olives, Arbequina has seen reduced popularity in parts of Texas due to repeated severe freeze events in recent years. While it can tolerate brief drops into the upper teens once established, prolonged hard freezes have caused widespread damage to both residential plantings and commercial orchards. In Central Texas, success depends heavily on planting location, drainage, and winter protection. Olive foliage and fruit are non-toxic, though fallen fruit can create minor cleanup concerns.
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Edible fruit |
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Compact form |
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Freeze risk |
Flower Color:White
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Height:15-20 Feet
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Spread:15-20 Feet
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Spacing:12-18 ft
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USDA Hardiness Zone 8a
Available Sizes:
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Description |
| OLI-ARB-15 |
#015 OLIVE, ARBEQUINA (STANDARD) |
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Characteristics & Attributes
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Deer Tolerance
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Exposure
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Habit
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Soil pH Preference
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Water Needs
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Tolerates Poor Drainage
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