Are you looking to add some fruit trees to your garden? We've compiled a list of 10 perfect fruit trees that are both beautiful and delicious. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, these fruit trees are sure to impress. From apples to citrus, there's something for everyone on our list. Read on to find the perfect fit for your garden. If you are still deciding where everything should sit, our edible backyard layout guide is a useful starting point for spacing and sun.
10 Fruit Trees Perfect for Your Garden
For a hardy and low-maintenance fruit tree, consider the dwarf apple tree. Perfect for small gardens or containers, these trees produce crisp and juicy fruits that are perfect for snacking on. Other great options include pear trees which offer sweet and succulent fruits that can be enjoyed fresh off the branch. Dwarf forms also slot neatly into a mixed bed, an approach we cover in our guide to growing a successful fruit and vegetable garden.
Dwarf apple trees are hardy and low-maintenance, perfect for small gardens or containers, and produce crisp and juicy fruits that are ideal for snacking on.
If you're looking to plant a subtropical garden, then citrus trees may be your best option. These evergreen fruit trees thrive in warm climates and are popular for their fragrant blooms as well as their tangy fruits. For something a little nuttier, try planting macadamia nut trees which produce deliciously crunchy nuts that can be used in a variety of recipes.
1. Apple Trees
Apple trees are a popular choice for home gardeners due to their versatility and easy maintenance. Dwarf apple trees are perfect for smaller gardens or container planting, while standard apple trees can grow up to 30 feet tall. They produce crisp, juicy fruits that come in various colours such as red, green, and yellow. Planting multiple varieties of apple trees can ensure a longer harvest season and provide cross-pollination for optimal fruit production.
When choosing an apple tree for your garden, consider the climate and soil conditions that will best suit its growth needs. Some heirloom varieties may be more drought-tolerant than others or better suited for colder climates. Whether you prefer sweet or tart apples, there is an apple tree variety out there that will thrive in your garden and provide delicious fruits year after year.
2. Peach Trees
Peach trees are an excellent addition to any garden, especially for those who love juicy and sweet fruits. These subtropical trees come in both standard and dwarf sizes, making them suitable for small or large gardens. They are also drought-tolerant, making them a perfect fruit tree choice for dry regions.
When planting peach trees in your garden or nursery, it's important to select varieties that thrive well in your region and consider the soil type and nutrient needs. Some popular heirloom varieties include Elberta peach, Redhaven peach, Hale Haven Peach among others which produce delicious yellow/orange fleshed fruits with red-blushed skin. Pruning is also necessary to control the size of the tree while promoting healthy growth and good fruit production.
3. Cherry Trees
Cherry trees are a beautiful addition to any garden, producing pink and white blooms in the spring followed by delicious cherries in early summer. These trees come in both dwarf and standard sizes, making them versatile enough for small or large gardens. Some popular varieties of cherry trees include Bing, Rainier, and Montmorency.
When planting cherry trees, it's important to choose a spot with well-draining soil that receives full sun exposure. They also require regular pruning to maintain their shape and encourage fruit production. Overall, cherry trees are an excellent choice for those looking to add both beauty and flavor to their garden.
4. Plum Trees
Plum trees are a great addition to any garden that receives plenty of sunlight. These fruit trees come in both standard and dwarf varieties, making them perfect for gardens of all sizes. Additionally, they are drought-tolerant and can thrive in various soil types.
When it comes to fruits, plums offer a delicious taste with each bite. There are many heirloom varieties available that have unique flavors and textures. Some popular plum cultivars include the Santa Rosa, Burbank Plumcot, and Elephant Heart Plum. Whether you're looking for a subtropical or nut-bearing variety, there is sure to be a plum tree that fits your needs at your local nursery!
5. Pear Trees
Pear trees are a great addition to any garden that is looking to diversify its fruit tree collection. These trees produce juicy and flavorful fruits that can be enjoyed fresh or used in various culinary applications. Here are some key points to keep in mind when considering pear trees:
- Pear trees come in different varieties, such as dwarf and standard, which can affect their mature size and yield.
- Pear trees need well-draining soil and full sun exposure to thrive.
- Some popular pear cultivars include Bartlett, Anjou, Bosc, Comice, Seckel, and Forelle.
- Pears have relatively low chilling requirements compared to other fruit trees like cherries or apples.
- In areas with drought-prone climates, it's recommended to choose drought-tolerant pear cultivars.
Overall pears are easy-to-grow fruit producing tress that will add diversity of flavor along with the variety of your garden.
6. Fig Trees
Fig trees are a great addition to any garden, especially for those who live in subtropical or Mediterranean climates. These fruit trees are known for their deliciously sweet and chewy fruits that can be eaten fresh, dried, or preserved. There are many varieties of figs available today, including dwarf and heirloom options.
When selecting a fig tree from a nursery, choose one that is drought tolerant and disease resistant. Figs prefer well-draining soil with plenty of sun exposure. Some popular fig cultivars include Brown Turkey, Black Mission, and Kadota. With proper care and maintenance, your fig tree will produce an abundance of tasty fruits each year!
7. Citrus Trees
Citrus trees are a great addition to any garden, especially if you live in a subtropical or Mediterranean climate. These trees are not only beautiful but also very productive. They require minimal care and can be grown as dwarf varieties if space is limited. Here are some popular citrus fruits that you can consider growing in your garden: Our guide to growing citrus trees in your Aussie backyard covers feeding and pest control in more detail.
- Grapefruit
These citrus fruit trees come in many different cultivars and have various harvesting seasons, so it's worth researching which one would best suit your needs before making a purchase from a nursery or heirloom collection. Additionally, many of these trees are drought-tolerant, making them perfect for areas with water restrictions or dry climates like California and Arizona. For the single most planted citrus in the country, start with our lemon tree care guide.
8. Persimmon Trees
Persimmon trees are a great addition to any garden, especially for those who want to cultivate unique and tasty fruits. These trees are subtropical and drought-tolerant, making them an excellent choice for areas with hot summers. They produce sweet, juicy fruits that can be eaten fresh or used in various recipes like pies or jams.
There are two types of persimmon trees: the traditional and the dwarf variety. The traditional tree can grow up to 30 feet tall while the dwarf only grows up to 8 feet tall. Both varieties produce delicious fruits that come in different colours like orange-red or yellow-orange. Persimmon trees are easy to take care of as they require little pruning and maintenance once established in your garden.
9. Apricot Trees
Apricot trees are a great addition to any garden that is looking for tasty fruit and attractive foliage. They are easy to care for and come in both standard and dwarf sizes, making them perfect for small gardens or container planting. These trees prefer subtropical climates but can tolerate some drought conditions once established.
When choosing an apricot tree, look for varieties that are known to produce high-quality fruits such as the 'Goldcot' or 'Moongold.' It's also important to select an apricot cultivar that is disease-resistant, given they're susceptible to various pests and diseases. With proper pruning techniques, you can ensure your apricot tree produces healthy new growth while maintaining its shape throughout the year.
10. Avocado Trees
Avocado trees are perfect for any garden, especially if you live in a subtropical climate. They can thrive in most soil types and are drought-tolerant once established. Avocado trees come in standard or dwarf varieties, making them suitable for different garden sizes.
The fruits of avocado trees are not only delicious but also highly nutritious. They're full of healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that can benefit your overall health. If you're planning to grow an avocado tree from scratch, it's best to purchase one from a reputable nursery or choose an heirloom variety for better results. Before you commit the space, read our avocado care guide for pollination groups and frost limits in Australian conditions.
Chill hours decide what you can grow
This is the concept that determines fruit tree success in Australia, and it is the thing most overseas guides skip entirely. Deciduous fruit trees need a certain number of hours below about 7°C over winter to break dormancy and fruit properly. Get it wrong and the tree grows happily and never crops.
| Region | Approx chill | What fruits well |
|---|---|---|
| Tasmania, Canberra, tablelands | High | Apple, cherry, pear, apricot, plum, berries |
| Melbourne, Adelaide Hills | Moderate-high | Apple, pear, plum, peach, nectarine, fig |
| Sydney, Perth | Moderate-low | Citrus, fig, olive, low-chill stone fruit |
| Brisbane, northern NSW | Low | Citrus, mango, avocado, low-chill peach, lychee |
| Darwin, tropical QLD | Essentially none | Mango, banana, pawpaw, lychee, citrus |
In Brisbane and warmer, buy varieties specifically labelled low chill - there are good low-chill peaches, nectarines, plums and apples bred for subtropical Australia. A standard apple variety in Brisbane will produce leaves and almost no fruit.
Pollination
Some fruit trees need a second compatible variety nearby to set fruit, and this catches people who plant a single tree and wait years for nothing.
- Self-fertile - citrus, fig, most peaches and nectarines, olives (though they crop better with a partner).
- Need a pollinator - most apples, most pears, most cherries, and many plums.
- Avocado - type A and B flowers, and interplanting improves the crop considerably.
- Multi-grafted trees solve this in small gardens by carrying compatible varieties on one tree.
When to plant
Bare-rooted deciduous fruit trees are sold and planted in winter, June to August, while dormant - this is the cheapest way to buy them and the establishment is excellent. Citrus and evergreen subtropical fruit go in during spring, once soil has warmed. Tropical fruit in the north goes in at the start of the wet.
Pests that matter in Australia
- Fruit fly - Queensland fruit fly across the east, Mediterranean fruit fly in WA. Both are subject to movement restrictions in some areas, and both will ruin an unprotected crop. Netting, baiting and prompt removal of fallen fruit are the practical controls.
- Citrus gall wasp - woody swellings on stems, serious in Sydney and southeast Queensland. Cut out and destroy galls before spring.
- Bronze orange bug - the citrus stink bug, spring in warm districts. Remove with eye protection; the spray burns.
- Birds and flying foxes - use wildlife-safe netting with a mesh under 5 mm, pulled taut. Loose or wide netting entangles and kills wildlife, and is illegal in some states.
Practical points
- Full sun - six hours minimum for decent cropping.
- Drainage first. Most fruit trees, and avocados especially, die of root rot in wet ground. Plant on a mound on clay.
- Keep grass clear of the root zone and mulch out to the drip line.
- Feed three times a year for citrus - late winter, late spring, late summer.
- Prune to keep trees low. A tree held at two to three metres is far easier to net, pick and manage than one allowed to reach eight.
- Buy grafted, not seedling. Seedling fruit trees take many years and rarely resemble the parent.
Ready to plant?
Choose a tree that suits your climate and the size of your block, then plant it while the soil is still warm. Browse our full range of fruit trees for varieties that crop reliably in Australian gardens.
If you are ordering these online, read what to do when your plants arrive first. The first two days after delivery matter more than the first two months.
