The olive tree as a cultivated and useful plant is already many millennia old and simply belongs in the landscapes and cultures of the Mediterranean countries like the famous pot on the lid. In total there are over 1000 different varieties, many of which are limited to a region or even a place. 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.
Is the Hojiblanca olive tree suitable for the German climate?
The Hojiblanca olive tree comes from the Andalusian region of Spain and is used for olive oil production. Despite incorrect information on the Internet, the variety is not winter hardy and is not suitable for Germany's cool climate. Varieties like Leccino, Coratina or Picual are better.
Hojiblanca is one of the most popular Spanish olive varieties
In the past, Hojiblanca was grown primarily to produce high-quality olive oil, but today the large, mild-tasting fruits are also eaten as table olives. The popular variety accounts for more than 16 percent of local olive oil production and therefore provides the livelihood of numerous olive farmers. The majority of Hojiblanca is grown traditionally, with some olive groves having been used for many centuries. Hojiblanca is usually harvested ripe. The Spanish name means something like “white leaf”.
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, which the trees could withstand. However, this is dangerous nonsense, because on the one hand, all olive trees cannot tolerate harsh winters - not even the Hojiblanca - and on the other hand, this variety in particular comes from one of the hottest and driest regions of the Mediterranean. This means that these trees have not been bred to be cold resistant at all - and why, since 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 balcony, the Hojiblanca variety is not suitable for the cool temperatures of 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)
- Alandaou (France)
- Arbequina (France)
- Bouteillan (France)
- or Picual (Spain).
In addition, if possible, you should purchase trees that were grown in a harsher climate, such as: B. from tree nurseries in the more northern regions of Italy or France. Nevertheless, these trees also require comprehensive protection in very cold winters as well as against strong winds and too much moisture.
Tips & Tricks
The next time you vacation in Spain, why not visit the Hojiblanca Museum in Málaga (Andalusia). There you can find out all sorts of interesting and amazing things about the history of olive cultivation in the region and, among other things. Visit an original oil press from the first century AD.
