Olive - Olea europaea Spanish Queen

Common Name:
Spanish Queen Olive

Description:
Olea europaea ‘Spanish Queen’ is a premium olive variety highly regarded for its exceptionally large fruit and excellent table quality. This evergreen tree features elegant, silvery-green foliage and develops a classic Mediterranean form, making it both a productive and ornamental addition to the landscape. In spring, it produces small, creamy-white flowers, followed by large olives that ripen from green to a deep purple-black. Known for its mild, pleasant flavour, ‘Spanish Queen’ is ideal for table use when properly cured. Well suited to Melbourne conditions, it thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soils, particularly sandy or loamy types. Once established, it is drought tolerant and low maintenance, benefiting from occasional pruning to maintain shape and encourage fruiting. Ideal for home orchards, feature planting, or large pots, it offers both visual appeal and a generous harvest.

Form:

• Tree - Small

Mature Size:

• Height: 4–6 m
• Width: 3–5 m

Aspect:

• Full Sun

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:

• Creamy white

Key Attributes:

• Edible Fruit
• Suitable for Pots
• Perennial
• Drought tolerant once established
• Low maintenance
• Suitable for Mediterranean gardens
• Attractive silvery foliage
• Long-lived tree
• Ideal for table olives

Toxicity:

• Not toxic to humans or pets
• Raw fruit is very bitter and must be cured before consumption

Companion Plants:

• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Santolina
• Westringia
• Lomandra
• Salvia
• Citrus