Description Olea europaea ‘Manzanillo’ (Olive) – An evergreen tree growing to 30 feet tall by 25 feet wide with grey bark and leathery grey narrow leaves. As with other olives it produces small pollen-rich white flowers in spring and fruit develops through Summer into Autumn. The fruit on this variety is of medium size (about 1 inch long) and is prized for making good quality black olives and with enough oil for pressing oil. Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil. It is heat and drought tolerant once established and tolerant to temperatures down to around -9 degrees C without damage – older trees more cold tolerant with some tip die back. Olea europaea ‘Manzanillo’ is the most commonly planted commercial variety with a lower, more spreading growth habit than many other olive cultivars and it is one of the most often used varieties in commercial growing. It has smaller fruit than another commonly planted variety ‘Sevillano’, but with higher oil content. Olive pollen has been identified as a cause for “hay fever” and seasonal allergies to susceptible individuals so care sound be taken to not to situate plants too close to dwellings of those with a pollen allergy. The Manzanillo variety was imported from Spain in the late 1800s and replaced the then popular ‘Mission’ variety as it had larger fruit and was less susceptible to spring frosts and disease. Our plant prices include secure packaging, Our plant and delivery guarantees, Parcel Tracking and GST.
