Mulberry trees, figs and even olives can be a productive addition to your garden.

Fig
Ficus carica
Figs (shown above) produce luscious, unusual fruits on relatively compact and attractive trees.

Size
Usually reaches 6-7m tall but much bigger with great age.

Climate
Mediterranean zone with its rainy winters and warm, dry summers is ideal but it is possible to grow figs anywhere outside the tropics except for the warmest parts of humid subtropical and cold parts of cool temperate zones. Humid, rainy weather over summer is not ideal.

Frost tolerance
To -12C, possibly -15C.

Flowering season
Spring, but flowers are never seen - they are inside the forming fruits.

Fruiting season
Summer and autumn.

Chilling requirement
It needs 300 hours under 10C or fruit set, if any, will be poor.

Cross-pollination
Common figs do not need cross-pollination but the rarer Smyrna variety do.

Watering
Give most water from mid-autumn to mid-spring. In very hot, inland areas, the odd deep soaking in summer won't hurt.

Feeding
Figs are not heavy feeders; in average, well-drained soil, mulch beneath and beyond the foliage canopy with rotted manure in autumn.

Problems
Birds and fruit fly. Hang lures and spray promptly. There are no major fig diseases.

Mulberry

Morus nigra

Mulberries are a great favourite with children and can grow into a beautiful shade tree.

The mulberry is an easy fruit tree to grow.

Size
Reaches 10m or more.

Climate
Mulberries fruit in humid subtropical, Mediterranean, temperate, cool temperate and semi-arid zones; possibly in hot arid zones if given additional water; in the cooler, southern parts of humid subtropical zones

Frost tolerance
To -25C.

Flowering season
Spring.

Fruiting season
Mid-spring to early summer.

Cross-pollination
Not necessary; self-fertile.

Watering
Where rainfall is regular and reliable, little additional water is necessary. Elsewhere, water deeply during dry times.

Feeding
In average soil, feeding is not necessary but you can apply complete fertiliser once after harvest.

Problems
Birds and fruit bats.

Olive
Olea europaea

Olives grow into attractive trees and in suitable climates, like Perth, the fruit is a bonus.

Olive trees fruit better in Australia's drier areas.

Size
Reaches 4-8m tall.

Climate
Mediterranean is ideal; also temperate, semi-arid and in the warmer parts of cool temperate zones; possible in the cooler, southern parts of humid subtropical zones but fruiting may be poor.

Frost tolerance
To -10C but prefers warmer winters.

Flowering season
Early to mid-spring. Flowers will be damaged by late frosts.

Fruiting season
Late summer and autumn. Pick when fully formed, either green or when ripe and black.

Chilling requirement
At least 1000 hours (preferably more) below 10C or fruit set will be poor.

Cross-pollination
Not necessary; self-fertile.

Watering
If watering is necessary, do so deeply and mostly during the cooler months. Olives are able to survive in very dry areas.

Feeding
Not necessary. Olives grow on poor, stony soils.

Problems
Scale insects.

Source:Gardening A Commonsense Guide (Murdoch Books)