Olea europaea ‘Arbequina’, commonly known as Arbequina olive, is a compact evergreen olive cultivar valued for its silvery-green foliage, graceful branching, and ability to produce small, flavorful olives. Originally from Spain, this variety is one of the better choices for North Florida and South Georgia landscapes due to its relatively good cold tolerance compared to other olive cultivars. Fun fact: Arbequina olives are commonly used for olive oil production because the fruit has a high oil content and ripens earlier than many other olive varieties. Care Needs:• Light: Full sun; provide at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best growth and fruit production• Water: Water regularly until established; once established, drought tolerant and prefers the soil to dry slightly between waterings• Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape, encourage airflow, and remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring and during the growing season as needed; avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage foliage growth over fruit production
