Was thinking about trying an olive, but figured I would check others first. I am thinking they probably ripen to late or are unsuited to the climate.
Mostly true. I have a note stuck back in my memory that there is one variety that can be grown in parts of zone 7a/b. I don’t know the variety, but it should show up in a diligent search.
Olives are hardy to zone 8b (they would take lows at about 15 F for a short period of time).
There is one that will live in zone 7 such as Spartanburg, SC. But, I can’t attest to it’s fruit quality. From the Crimea area of the former Soviet research station I think.
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We grow ‘Arbequena’ at my work. I’m a zone 8a normally but the location the tree is in is somewhat protected. It will fruit in late fall.
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There are varieties that will work in 7B, possibly even 6B, at least in Europe. I was skeptical but my friend is growing them without any issues.
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I’ve read that moisture and humidity can be issues for inground trees, but i’ve seen lots of success growing them as potted trees. That would help with marginal climate issues, but I don’t know about actually getting fruit.
I’m sure somebody has or will be trying them…as every LOWE’s store in Kentucky had a supply of OLIVES for sale in 2020!
Most of them still had them in the fall, marked down 75% lol!
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I’m thinking they will grow fine, but will have problems fruiting.
There’s at least one company growing them commercially in Georgia.
http://georgiaolivefarms.com/gof/products-services/
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