Evergreen fruit trees provide green foliage all year, so you can add a greenish color to your garden regardless of season. Plus, you can enjoy their edible treats depending on the tree you plant.
My article will mention evergreen fruit trees examples with their specific features and caring tips for choosing the one suitable for your garden. Let’s scroll down for more details below!
What Are Evergreen Fruit Trees?
An evergreen fruit tree never goes into a dormant period, meaning it will retain its leaves’ color all year round.
Your garden will feature a real splash of color no matter what season it is. Besides, these trees produce delicious fruits.
Each type has its specific blooming periods when you can harvest the fruits like other fruit trees. It sounds like these plants will bring you a lot of benefits.
However, you should consider their growing climate, your garden space, and the matter of pollination and cross-pollination before adding them to your yard.
List Of Evergreen Fruit Trees
If you want to introduce some evergreen fruit trees to your garden, consider citrus trees like oranges, mandarins, tangerines, lemons, limes, or grapefruits.
Otherwise, other types you can grow are olives, avocados, lychees, mangos, figs, apricots, etc.
Oranges
Oranges produce one of the most common trees with delicious fruits worldwide.
In the US, besides Florida, people grow these evergreen fruit trees in Southern California, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Arizona, Georgia, and Mississippi.
They prefer the warmth and sun of the tropical climate. Their excellent condition for growing is under the temperature of 55 – 100 degrees F.
You can try to keep them indoors. However, while growing them, remember that they are not fast-fruiting trees. You may need to wait one year to see the full tree.
Mandarins & Tangerines
Mandarins, originating from China, are a small version of oranges. They are grown in many states in the US, including Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, California, Georgia, and Texas.
They have similar growing conditions as their big siblings. The favorite temperature is between 55 and 100 degrees F.
It will take about 4 years for mandarin trees to bear fruits and 6 to 8 months for them to be mature enough to pick.
Tangerines are a diversion from oranges, originated from Southeast Asia, and are now one of the fast-growing fruit trees in Texas, Florida, Georgia, and California.
The best way to grow tangerines is in subtropical and tropical climates where the weather is warmer with lots of sun.
Lemons
Lemons are another member of the citrus family. They prefer full sun, wind-covered locations, well-drained fertilized soils, and much water.
They can grow up to 10-20 feet and spread 10-15 feet. Lemons feature reddish leaves when young and green ones when they are mature.
Their fruits are oval and yellow and have a fresh fragrance. The flowers are also well-scented. They are white or purple, blooming in single or small groups.
Limes
Limes are similar to lemons, but they are rounder and more green. They like to grow in warm climates, full sun, and well-drained soils.
Lime trees can reach about 20 feet tall. The most common types of limes are Persian lime or Tahitian lime, Kaffir, and Key Lime.
If you can’t plant them in the yard due to climate, you can do it indoors. They may not produce many limes in the first year, but the older they are, the more fruit production will be.
Grapefruits
Grapefruits thrive best in extreme southwestern and southern regions of the US. The trees planted in warmer climates tend to have thinner peels, while those in colder temperatures have tougher peels.
They are not really resistant to the cold but can grow back when the temperature is below freezing. However, grapefruits can be injured or damaged at 35 to 53°F.
Grapefruits require full sun and well-drained soil to develop. Due to the sugar content, the plant thrives on hot days and warm nights.
Pummelos
The Pummelo tree, which differs from grapefruits, is the largest citrus fruit variant, with a height of 50 feet and a width of 20 to 30 feet.
The special thing about its growing condition is it prefers the low elevation and close to the sea as it can stand brackish and salty water.
The plant is one of the best fast-growing fruit trees. The ripping season is from November to February. When enjoying the tropical weather, the plant can bear up to 4 growth periods per year.
You can grow them from seed or grow them indoors; however, the latter requires special lighting or a greenhouse to make them grow.
Olives
Olive’s favorite location is where it receives full sun and moderately moist, drained, fertile soils. It grows best in hard, dry summers and wet, mild winters.
Olive trees can be 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide.
The blooming season is from June to July. If the temperature is not below 50°F continuously for 2 months, the plant will not blossom.
Olives flowers are small, white, and fragrant. The fruits are oval and green, one and a half inches long. They turn black when ripe.
Avocados
Though avocado shed leaves briefly during dry periods, it is still considered an evergreen tree. It has big and dark green leaves.
If you look under their leaves, you will see a whitish, helping you to identify the tree.
The shape can be very and have smooth margins. The leaves grow ultimately on the leaf stands with a length of 4 to 6 inches.
The fruits are quite big, oval, and green. The ripper, the softer. But make sure you don’t eat a rotten avocado.
Kumquats
Kumquat trees have become a popular ornamental tree for the tropical and subtropical landscape thanks to its cute small shape. They can reach the highest height of 8 to 10 feet.
The plant can’t tolerate very cold weather, even below 10°F. It will enter its dormancy state and just bounce back after the warm weather comes for some weeks.
Their fruits are small oranges and very aromatic. It can take 4 to 5 years to harvest from the plant.
Loquats
Loquat trees can tolerate boards with full sun and partial shade. They prefer well-drained, evenly moist, organically rich, loamy soils.
Their maximum height and width are 25 feet. Leaves look like a lance of 12 inches, featuring lighter green beneath and dark green on the upper surface.
Their flowers are white and fragrant. The fruits may have a pear or spherical shape, yellow or orange color, and are 1-2 inches long.
Lychees
Lychees trees are another option for fast fruit trees. They are tall and wide (their maximum growth is up to 50 feet), requiring much space to thrive. They produce fruits from June to July.
The ripe products are red skin and have translucent white juicy flesh. They can be eaten fresh or dried before consuming.
Lychees feature yellow flowers, blooming in May. The tree requires full sunlight and well-drained, moist, and rich acidic soils.
Mangos
Mango trees produce fleshy fruit with yellow, orange, or green skin. Their leaves, known under the name lanceolate, are narrow and long.
Like lemon trees, mangos’ leaves will change from light green to dark green when mature. To grow the plant, you need quite a lot of space as they can reach 30-45 feet tall and 50 feet wide.
Calamondins
Calamondins are considered a mixture of mandarin oranges and kumquats. They like sunny climates but can withstand partial shade.
Their favorite temperatures are 86 degrees F for daytime and 77 degrees F for nighttime. They can self-pollinate, so you can grow only 1 tree to get fruits.
This plant produces fruits all year round, with 4 to 5 growing periods per year. However, it’s mostly planted for ornamental purposes rather than harvesting.
They grow mostly in the southernmost parts of the US. Yet, the plant is most cold resistant among citrus trees, thus, suitable to creep up into South and North Carolina, Washington, etc.
Figs
Fig trees are one of the fast-growing fruit plants you can consider growing. They have different varieties to plant and harvest the fruits that suit your taste.
The fruits are juicy and sweet. You can eat it fresh or use it in different cooking recipes. These edible products are a good source of antioxidants and fiber. They are a healthy option for desserts and snacks.
If you live in Texas, May to September is when figs are in season.
Strawberries
Strawberries are well known for their cute, small red fruits. They contain a lot of nutrients beneficial for your health.
They contain vitamins, fiber, and polyphenols and have no cholesterol, fat, or sodium. They are so useful to consume if you lack potassium and manganese.
A strawberry tree will not produce any shade. It is suitable to grow outdoors or indoors in a small pot.
Apricots
Mentioning fast-growing fruit trees, we should not skip apricots. They are one of the easiest-growing trees that you can have in your backyard.
The fruits are small and round, with shades of yellow, orange, and pink. Many people like their delicious and unique taste.
You can have their edible products to enjoy her year. They are beneficial for health as they contain beta-carotene and other useful vitamins.
Bananas
A banana tree is a great option to grow in your garden for shade and harvesting. People grow it in different parts of the world.
The tree can stay green all year round without producing any fruit. It is well known for its softness and sweetness and contains nutritional fruits.
The leaves are yellow or green and huge. Besides giving shape, they have different purposes, including making houses or wrapping food in some countries.
Tips To Buy And Plant
Zone Hardiness
Before buying the seeds, check on the tag or packet for their grow zone. Then you should compare it with the site you live in, or you want to plant them.
Depending on the USDA plant hardiness, some varieties prefer tropical climates, while others can tolerate cooler temperatures.
- Grow zone 8: best for grapefruit, lemons, and orange
- Grow zones 9 and 10: best for banana, tangerine
- Grow zones 10 and 11: best for avocado, key lime, loquat, and unusual banana varieties
- Grow zone 11: best for tropical guava, kiwi, and mango
Tree Hardiness
It refers to the tree’s ability to survive and flourish through wintertime. Most evergreens can stand cool but not harsh winters.
If you choose these varieties, you should pay attention when the frost may happen in your place and apply some winter protection methods to avoid wilt.
Size Of Mature Trees
Since a healthy fruit tree can live for generations, it’s important to consider its mature size and how it will quickly grow.
In turn, you should be able to answer these questions before making a final decision: root system invasion, shade spreading, and spare space.
Growing Requirements
As with any other plant, evergreens also require specific care. Some prefer full sun, while others like shadier spots.
Fertile free-draining soil may be good for one but not others as they thrive better with heavier clay mediums or a specific pH.
Similarly, the proper amount of water should be applied. Not always being thoroughly watered is good as it may cause roots to rot.
Another thing to consider is fertilizer. Organic types are safer, yet you may not have as high a yield as using synthetic ones.
Maintenance
You should prune and thin the trees to ensure the branch develops well. Plus, you need to clear up the decayed fruits to avoid mold and pest infestations.
Applying fungus spray and pest control also should be conducted to prevent certain diseases.
Production
Some varieties bear fruit much faster than others. For example, you can get edible products from dwarf fruit trees only in 2-3 years. Yet, with the bigger ones, you need to wait 6 to 10 years.
Harvesting
The ripening times are different depending on the variety. If you have enough space in your yard and want a harvest full of various products at once, I suggest you plant those variants with ripening periods.
If not, you can arrange the time to harvest different fruits throughout the year.
FAQs
Should Fruit Trees Be Planted In Pair?
It’s not always necessary but highly recommended. It’s possible for modern varieties to self-fertile without any pollinating partner.
However, it will be more beneficial for the trees to cross-pollinate with their compatible siblings. You can look for them in the neighboring area or ask a nursery for advice.
Is It Ok To Plant Different Fruit Trees Next To Each Other?
Yes, mixing different types of fruit trees is advisable, given that you have enough space for each individual to grow to a mature size.
An adequate room is essential for spraying, pruning, and harvesting, as it will not affect other varieties.
The Bottom Lines
Evergreen fruit trees can ensure their gorgeous shape and foliage throughout the year to beautify your garden.
Most of them are not so difficult to grow if you provide the proper soil, water, and sunlight as they require.
Moreover, instead of buying from local supermarkets or grocery stores, you can even harvest delicious home-grown fruits from your own yard with your well-caring.
