Growing Olives in PacNW (Seattle area)

mcmCPH Seattle, WA Apr 21, 2009

Hi - I've been reading that -- under the right conditions -- certain olives can be grown and bear fruit in the PacNW/Seattle area. We have a sunny, west-facing concrete wall of our house where I'd like to put an olive tree.

Most NW sellers such as raintree seem to sell the Spanish 'Arbequina' variety. I'm wondering if others can comment on other self-fertilizing, fruiting varieties that might do OK here? For example, L & M Nurseries on 143rd and Aurora in Seattle is selling Mission, Oblongea and Pendolino varieties as well, but I'm worried that these California transplants won't do well w/our winters.

Can anyone comment on growing olives here? Here's some links and articles I've found:

http://www.seattlepi.com/nwgardens/400542_ciscoe19.html
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/nwest/msg0311291818342.html
http://www.seattlepi.com/nwgardens/220894_smith21a.html

From what I have read they prefer drier soil with good drainage as well as heat and some protection here, but it is do-able.

Thanks in adv for input - Michael

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katie59 Woodinville, WA(Zone 8b) Apr 22, 2009

I got a supposedly hardy olive here, just as a decorative plant. It died the first winter, so I didn't have a good experience. But, then, I didn't protect it and I'm in the foothills of the Cascades, so it's a few degrees colder here than it is by the ocean.

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Azorina (Linda)Gig Harbor, WA(Zone 8a) Apr 22, 2009

I've always wondered about growing Olives in the PNW especially after perusing Raintree's catalogue just yesterday. Good luck & keep us updated.

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Willowwind2 Union, WA(Zone 8b) Apr 23, 2009

I just clicked on an ad over on the side of here. It was about Russian Olive trees. They said they grow in zones 2-7

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