Olea europaea 'Arbequina' (self-fertile)

The Arbequina Olive Tree is widely grown in Spain. It produces tiny, meaty, gourmet quality olives that are mild, buttery and lightly fruity. They are a sweet olive, high in concentrations of antioxidant-rich oils. Initially green in colour, the fruits change to a pale pink, before becoming glossy black when they have fully matured on the tree. Its fruits are used as table olives, as well as oil olives. Even a small Arbequina Olive tree can produce 20 pounds of olives annually. They need 200 to 300 chill hours (below 10 °C/50 °F) for best fruiting.

The Olea europaea 'Arbequina' tree has a distinctive silhouette with weeping branches and lustrous, silvery, grey-green leaves. Naturally compact, at maturity they reach a height of 15 feet - 20 feet and a spread of 8 feet - 12 feet. Can be kept smaller by pruning. Plant these olive trees in containers so that you can move them indoors before freezing temperatures arrive. Arbequina is known as one of the hardiest olive cultivars. It can whistand temperature as low as -15 °C (hardiness zone 7b) while most olive varieties are hardy to -18 °C (zone 8a).

While Self-pollinating, Arbequina Olive bear better when cross pollinated with other varieties. They attract bees making them an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. The very brief, nectar-rich flowering of creamy-white blooms takes place in May. Arbequina Olive plant grows well with full sun and regular to occasional water. Drought tolerant once established.