Cultivar Profile
Kalamata Olive Tree
Olea europaea ‘Kalamata’ aka ‘Kalamon’
Cultivar Profile
Kalamata Olive Tree
Olea europaea ‘Kalamata’ aka ‘Kalamon’
The Greek Kalamata is one of the most famous olive cultivars. It produces an attractive, deep reddish-purple fruit.
The trees grow close to the Ionian sea in the Kalamata region of Southern Greece. Kalamata olives are fairly large as are the trees’ foliage, which also have a torpedo skin and split. Their olives contain moderate amounts of oil, so growers produce them for use as table olives and some oil. Brown and purple olives are brined in red wine vinegar. They have a soft, fruity but slightly bitter flavor. Producers often stuff Kalamata olives with various ingredients; feta cheese is a common one.
Specifications
Fruiting
Fruiting
Beautiful Fruiting Specimen
Olive Oil
Fruity
Small fruit, almond shaped. The oil is fruity but slightly bitter. Used primarily in curing, brined in wine vinegar.
Bloom
Spring
Inconspicuous, white flowers; prized for evergreen foliage and its fall fruit.
Country
Greece
Type
Single and Multi-Trunk Tree
Foliage
Gray-Green Color
Growth
Moderate
Size
Can reach 20 to 25 ft. tall if given opportunity, 20 ft. wide canopy
Uses
Commercial Use
Coastal Exposure, Container, Kitchen Garden, Mass Planting (high density), Orchards, Specimen
Zones
USDA 8 – 11, Sunset 24
Hardiness
Hardy down 20 to 30 °F, heat extremes cause stress
Light
Full sun
Water
Once established, water occasionally.
Water more frequently in extreme heat or containers. Newly planted olive trees will require more water to establish.
Soil
Well-drained, nutrient poor soil
Light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils all acceptable. Olive trees prefer well-drained soil and even grow well in nutritionally poor soil. Rocky locations. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
Care
Thrives in most average, slightly alkaline, well-drained soils, but it is highly adaptable. More productive when planted near another olive variety. Water deeply, regularly during first few growing seasons to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates drought. Shelter young plants from temperature extremes.
INQUIRE about availability, sizes in stock:
Samples
Get updates about our olive tree news
We will process the personal data you have supplied in accordance with our privacy policy.