Cold Hardy Citrus Trees
 WE WILL HAVE COLD HARDY CITRUS AVAILABLE IN FALL 2011. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR VARIETIES AVAILABLE, OR CALL US AT 1-800-669-2067. Citrus is one of the most
favorite fruit trees to grow, and new cold-hardy varieties can be grown
as far north as central Georgia, and along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts
from Charleston to Houston. Citrus can also be grown easily in
containers, so can be a great patio plant and brought indoors during
cold days, or kept in a sun-room for the winter. The fragrance of
citrus blossoms is one of the most wonderful perfumes imaginable, and
picking fresh citrus and squeezing your own juice is one of the best
joys in all of growing fruit!
Introduced to the New World by
Christopher Columbus, there is a tremendous diversity in types of
citrus. Citrus hybridizes readily and some of the very best types are
hybrids.
Some of the basic types are:
- Mandarins and
tangerines - very hardy trees, originally from Asia, with segmented
fruit with a wonderful tangy sweetness and skin that is easily peeled.
-
Oranges - medium sized trees that are excellent for juice like
Valencia, or the very hardy Blood Oranges with their sweet red flesh
and juice, or fresh eating fruit like Navel oranges.
- Grapefruits and Pummelos - very hardy large trees, large thick skinned fruit, great for juice and fresh eating
-
Lemons and Limes - small trees that are attractive ornamentals; some
are very hardy such as Meyer Lemons, and will take temperatures in the
low 20s or even colder!
- Kumquats and hybrids - small very hardy
trees, with small fruit that ripen year-round. Kumquats sweet-flavored
skin is used in making marmelade, and Limequats, a unique hybrid, are
dwarf trees that can be grown in a small space, and will withstand
temperatures in the teens!
Nothing is easier to grow than
citrus. Besides a good fertilization and watering program, they require
little pruning, and have few pest problems. They continue to grow as
long as temperature is warm. Planting in a warmer microclimate (link)
is the key to success, such as the south face of a house, on hillsides,
near lakes or under overhead shade (such as under an oak canopy).
Height: 10-20' (depending on type)
Pollination: Self-pollinating
Bears: All year (depending on type)
Light requirements: Full sun, partial shade for cold protection
Soil type: Well-drained pH 5.5-7.0
Pruning: Bush
Maintenance: Easy
Hardiness Zone: 8-10
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