The Frantoio: The Elegant Producer
Growth Habit: The Frantoio is known for its pendulous or weeping growth habit. It grows with a beautiful, airy elegance, featuring long, graceful branches that "nod" towards the ground as they become heavy with fruit.
Form: It has a medium-to-vigorous growth rate and develops a lovely, open canopy. This open structure is a natural advantage, as it allows sunlight and air to reach the center of the tree, which is essential for healthy fruit ripening and preventing fungal issues in our humid Gqeberha air.
Size: Left unpruned, it can reach 5–8 metres, but it responds exceptionally well to pruning and can easily be kept as a compact 3-metre tree in a large Signature Cement Pot.
The Frantoio (The Weeping Beauty)
Graceful, airy, and the "Gold Standard" for oil.
Design & Landscaping Ideas
The Romantic Focal Point: Because of its pendulous (weeping) branches, the Frantoio is best used as a standalone specimen. Plant it where its delicate, airy silhouette can be admired against a plain wall or as the centerpiece of a circular gravel garden.
Courtyard Classic: Its lighter, open canopy makes it perfect for smaller courtyards or patios. It provides "soft" shade that doesn't overwhelm the space.
The Mediterranean "Entryway": Place two Frantoio trees in our Large Cement Pots flanking your front door. The contrast between the heavy, raw concrete and the soft, weeping silver foliage creates an immediate high-end estate feel.
Planting & Care Tips
Sunlight: Requires at least 6 hours of direct sun daily to produce those high-oil olives.
Watering: Young trees need regular water, but once established, they are remarkably drought-tolerant. In pots, water thoroughly and then let the top 2-3cm of soil dry out completely before watering again.
Feeding: Use our CFT P7 in autumn to build a strong root system. In spring and summer, switch to a high-nitrogen fertiliser like CFT 10.2.4 to encourage lush foliage and fruit.
Pruning: Keep the center "open" (like a vase) to allow light and air to reach the middle of the tree—this is the secret to heavy fruiting!
Visit us at the shop in Walmer, Port Elizabeth, or contact us on Whatsapp 072 867 3243.
Our Olive Trees are currently available from R175 each.