Olive - Olea Verdale

One of the oldest olive varieties in Australian gardens - widely planted for decades, which is why mature Verdale trees appear in so many older Perth gardens and public spaces. It produces large fruit that stays green on the tree for a long time, making it excellent for green table olives. Oil content is low so it's not worth pressing, but as a table olive it performs well and the tree itself is highly productive. Olives are among the most naturally suited trees for Perth's climate - hot dry summers, mild winters, and well-drained sandy soils closely mirror the Mediterranean conditions they evolved in. Once established they are genuinely drought tolerant, though good watering through summer improves fruit size and quality. Full sun is non-negotiable. Fertilise with a low-phosphorus fertiliser in spring. Prune lightly after harvest to open up the canopy and encourage the following season's fruit. A note on fruit: raw olives are not edible straight from the tree - all table olives need curing first.