Prunus dulcis

The self-pollinating almond (Prunus dulcis) is the nut tree for a garden with room for one tree only. It reaches about 5m tall and 4m wide, opens white and pink blossom on bare wood in late winter, and sets a crop from its own pollen, so no partner variety is needed.

Why you'll love it

• One tree is enough. Most almonds need a second variety flowering alongside them to set nuts. This one is self fertile, which halves both the space and the guesswork.
• Blossom before anything else. Flowers open on bare branches in late winter, weeks ahead of the rest of the garden, and the bees find them immediately.
• Genuinely tough once established. Frost hardy, heat tolerant and drought tolerant, which is why almonds are grown commercially across dry inland districts.
• Shade in summer, light in winter. Being deciduous, it cools a seating area through the hot months then lets the sun back through.

Where it works best

Feature planting. The late winter flowering and open vase shape earn it a position near a path or window where the blossom is seen up close. Allow a 4m circle for the mature canopy.

Shade tree for a suburban block. At 5m it throws useful summer shade over a lawn or outdoor table without dominating the garden. Keep it a few metres clear of the house so the crop stays within reach.

Growing almonds in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, with air moving through the canopy. This is a tree for warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi-arid gardens, where winter chill sets the flower buds and frost causes no trouble. Humid subtropical gardens grow the tree well but the crop is unreliable.

Soil. Deep, free draining soil is the one real requirement, because almond roots will not sit in wet ground. On clay, plant on a raised mound and work compost and gypsum through the bed first.

Water and feed. Deep weekly soaks through the first two summers, then water through spring and early summer while the nuts are filling. A complete fertiliser in early spring and again after harvest is plenty, with 75mm of mulch kept clear of the trunk.

Pruning. Prune in late summer once the crop is off, when cuts dry quickly and disease risk is lowest. Open the centre to light and hold the tree at a height you can comfortably reach.

What to expect when it arrives

We supply this almond in one size, a 30L advanced tree, currently on backorder rather than sitting in stock. At 30L you are buying a formed young tree with a proper framework of branches, not a whip, so it settles quickly and usually blossoms in its first spring in the ground. Deciduous stock despatched in the cooler months may arrive bare of leaves, which is dormancy rather than damage.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Planting tips for fruit trees through the seasons
• Browse the full fruit tree range
• Compare other deciduous trees
• Plants that bring bees into the garden

Common questions

Do I need a second almond tree to get nuts?

No. This selection sets nuts from its own pollen, which is exactly why it suits smaller blocks. A second tree nearby lifts the yield, but it is not required.

How long until it crops?

Expect a first light crop two to three years after planting an advanced tree. Nuts are ready in late summer to early autumn, when the green hulls split open.

Will it crop in a humid climate?

The tree grows well, but rain at flowering and hull split spoils the nut set. In humid gardens plant it for the blossom and shade, and treat any crop as a bonus.

How much room does it need?

Allow about 4m of width, clear of walls and fences so light reaches the whole canopy. Regular pruning holds it smaller where space is tight.