Tropical fruit trees: an introduction to making your garden a tastier retreat
Flowers and shrubs are just the beginning when planning your perfect backyard oasis. Imagine a perfect warm summer day, the flowers smell great and look beautiful, but they just don’t have the sweet, juicy treats like a Katy apricot tree or the buttery goodness of a Hass avocado tree.
Choosing the right fruit tree to add a little spice to your Southern California garden has as much to do with your tastes as it does with your plan for the year. Certain tropical fruit trees flower early and fruit quickly (such as the Brazilian banana), while others flower later in the year and mature more slowly (such as the Panche fig tree).
Stylistically there is also a lot to take into account. Many regional tropical fruit tree nurseries now have different variations of your favorite trees. For example, the Santa Rosa plum tree is a very popular choice for its rich and juicy flavor. But not everyone wants a tree that looks like a “tree”, for those people the “weeping” variety was created. The Weeping Santa Rosa Plum gives off a much more whimsical Alice in Wonderland look. If you are looking for a softer look for your backyard, this might be your best option.
If you have a smaller backyard, you don’t have to worry about space limitations. You have two options when choosing your perfect tree: Semi-dwarf or the newest creation from the gardening industry, “EZ-Pick.” Semi-dwarf trees are a smaller version of the original, they don’t grow that big but still produce a decent amount of fruit. This is a good option for a medium to small sized backyard. The Royal Apricot Semi-Dwarf tree is one of the most popular varieties.
However, the EZ-Pick is an even more compact option for those concerned with space and not being able to reach its fruit when a normal-size tree matures. EZ-Pick was developed specifically with this problem in mind. They are created to grow to no more than 6 feet tall and will still produce a good amount of fruit. This is a relatively new addition to the tropical fruit tree nursery, so not everyone will carry them. The EZ-Pick Golden Nectar Plum was a favorite little backyard shoe this season.
Some homeowners want to create more than just a tropical oasis in their backyard, they want to create an exotic sanctuary. In that case, tropical fruit bearing trees are one of the best additions you can make to your backyard. Buddha’s Hand Fruit Trees, Star Fruit Trees, Wampi Trees, and very different trees will give you a definite talking point in your own backyard.
When you’re ready to start transforming your backyard, be sure to call or visit a local tropical fruit tree nursery to get your creativity flowing.