The olive tree as a cultivated and useful plant is thousands of years old and simply belongs in the landscapes and cultures of the Mediterranean countries like the famous pot belongs to the lid. There are over 1000 different varieties in total, many of which are limited to one region or even one location. This is also the case with the Hojiblanca olive variety, which is typical of the Andalusian region around the traditional cities of Seville, Cordoba and Malaga.

Hojiblanca is one of the most popular Spanish olive varieties

In earlier times, Hojiblanca was mainly cultivated for the production of high-quality olive oil, but today the large, rather mild-tasting fruits are also eaten as table olives. The popular variety accounts for more than 16 percent of local olive oil production and thus provides the livelihood of numerous olive farmers. Hojiblanca is mostly cultivated traditionally, with some olive groves having been used for many centuries. Hojiblanca is usually harvested when ripe. The Spanish name means something like "white sheet".

Hojiblanca olive trees are not hardy

You can often read on the internet that olive trees of the Hojiblanca variety are extremely hardy. There is even talk of temperatures of up to minus 19 °C that the trees could withstand. However, this is dangerous nonsense, because on the one hand all olive trees do not tolerate harsh winters - not even the Hojiblanca - and on the other hand this variety comes from one of the hottest and driest regions of the Mediterranean. This means that these trees are not bred for any cold resistance at all - why should they, because such cold temperatures are unknown in Andalusia.

Buy olive trees only from recognized specialists

If you want to buy an olive tree for the garden or the balcony, the Hojiblanca variety is not suitable for the cool temperatures in Germany. It is better to switch to other varieties that are better adapted to the northern climate, for example

  • Leccino (Italy)
  • Coratina (Italy)
  • Ascolana (Italy)
  • Aglandaou (France)
  • Arbequina (France)
  • Bouteillan (France)
  • or Picual (Spain).

Also, whenever possible, you should buy trees that have been grown in a harsher climate, such as in the United States. B. from tree nurseries in the northern regions of Italy or France. Nevertheless, these trees also need comprehensive protection in very cold winters and against strong winds and too much moisture.

tips and tricks

The next time you vacation in Spain, why not visit the Hojiblanca Museum in Malaga (Andalusia). There you can learn all sorts of interesting and amazing things about the history of olive growing in the region and u. visit an original oil press from the first century AD.

Category:

Trees