Best 7 Citrus Trees To Grow In North Florida
In order to grow citrus trees in North Florida, you need to be aware of a few factors. Cold and windy conditions limit the growth of some varieties.
For example, apple trees cannot grow in North Florida unless temperatures stay below 45 degrees. However, you can grow many other types of fruit in the region, including some types of grapefruit and even corn. The University of Georgia offers extensive information about the types of fruits that can be grown in the area.
The South Florida area, especially the areas around St. Augustine, is well suited for growing citrus trees. In these regions, microclimates are created by nearby bodies of water and tall buildings, making them suitable for planting citrus trees in containers and other protected locations.
This climate is perfect for the production of orange juice, lemons, and other citrus fruits. These varieties are not susceptible to most diseases and pests, and require very little protection from cold.
Traditionally, citrus growers in North Florida have grown Satsuma varieties on trifoliate rootstocks. These types of fruit are hardy and sell well in local markets.
Due to the commitment to citrus production in North Florida, the number of these varieties has increased dramatically.
In recent years, though, interest in other citrus varieties has increased as well. Today, the University of Georgia’s ‘Pink Frost’ grapefruit and ‘Grand Frost’ lemon have been successfully planted in many regions.
The North Florida citrus tree can withstand low temperatures, and is best planted in areas that receive cool temperatures.
A Hamlin orange is a good choice for this region, as its fruit matures earlier in the season and can be picked whenever you want.
It can reach 500 pounds in a single harvest, so it is ideal for the area. It can be harvested year-round, so it is best to plant it as soon as possible, as winter will make the climate too hot to grow these types of fruit.
Marumi Kumquat Tree
Citrus trees are some of the most cold-hardy trees you can buy! The Fortunella japonica ‘Marumi’ Kumquat (Fortunella japonica ‘Marumi’), a breeding breakthrough and a boon to gardeners in colder northern climates, is a real breakthrough.
It is impossible to say the word ‘Kumquat’ without instantly having your mouth watering.
If you have never tasted this little sour/sweet powerbomb, then you are unlucky. In spite of their small size, kumquats are packed with a lot of flavor.
They are no bigger than a golf ball, often slightly bigger than a half dollar.
When you eat a whole banana, you usually eat the peel as well as the fruit inside. As you chew, you will experience a unique flavor explosion as the sweet peel and tart pulp combine.
There are small leaves on the Marumi Kumquat tree as well as round fruit with thin, sweet skin that can be eaten. The fruit does not need to be peeled.
You can keep them in pots by a sunny window so that you can pick a few Kumquats whenever you like so that you always have a snack on hand.
It is not surprising that they begin producing in the late fall, and by Christmas, it is possible to have boughs of greenery with natural orange ‘ornaments’.
Rio Red Grapefruit Tree
I would recommend growing Rio Red Grapefruits (Citrus x ‘Rio Red’) if you can only grow one citrus tree.
There is no doubt that this is one of those huge, ruby red Grapefruit varieties with an amazing sweet taste that is almost addictive.
I love the juicy flesh with a hint of tanginess and sweetness. It’s great as a snack or as dessert for breakfast. I like to make a tart with it.
Adding to a salad is also a good idea. Adding it to a sangria is also a good idea.
You don’t even need to add sugar to juice made from it, if you squeeze it. When it comes to Pink Grapefruit juice, Rio Red is the gold standard.
The Rio Red Tree is container-sized, with a low maintenance and easy-to-prune habit, making it perfect for smaller yards or planters that don’t want full-sized fruit growing.
When the fruits are ripe in the winter months, the green fruit turns pale yellow, and the rind develops a pink blush.
Meiwa Kumquat Tree
It resembles a sour grapefruit, but has a sweet flavor due to its Citrus crassifolia ‘Meiwa’ variety.
You eat the wonderful, small fruit whole – rind, seeds, and all – in one or two bites.
The rind has an amazing spicy/sweet flavor that is almost addictive after biting into it.
As you chew, the sweet rind and sour pulp blend together in your mouth. The combination of acidity and sweetness is perfect!
While eating fresh, don’t forget to keep chewing to get the best possible flavor.
If they are eaten whole, candied, cooked or canned, Kumquats are a treat not to be missed!
The tiny fruit can ripen in the limbs of mature trees in late fall in THOUSANDS. The sight is breathtaking. This makes it a wonderful landscape feature.
The deep green leaves of your tree give it a soft, healthy appearance throughout the year, even when it’s not in bloom or bearing fruit.
Lemon and Lime Tree 2n1
It’s a space-saving dream come true! Wouldn’t it be great to be able to pick fresh limes and lemons from your very own tree?
And what if you could pick both at the same time? What if you had the best of both worlds at your disposal?
In one container, you will find a Lemon tree and a Lime tree growing together!
It’s not a grafted tree, it’s actually two individual small trees growing in a container together.
How come? As a result, you are saving a ton of space while enjoying the most popular home citrus tree varieties – Meyer Lemon (Citrus limon ‘Meyer Lemon Improved’) and Bearss Lime (Citrus aurantiifilia ‘Bearss’) planted together as one!
There are two varieties of these trees that are slow growing and can be pruned easily to form a single, beautiful tree with multi-trunks. No matter what kind of climate you have, these are two of the easiest citrus to grow in pots.
Sanguinelli Blood Orange Tree
The blood orange is one of the most beautiful fruits in the world, and of all the blood oranges, the Sanguinelli is one of the most beautiful ones.
Sanguinelli Blood Oranges are imported from Spain and they have some of the most attractive red tinged skins of any orange on the market.
Amongst the deep green leaves on the small to medium sized tree, they seem like ornaments hanging from the branches.
Blood red is the color of the juice, as you would expect it to be. A very refreshing flavor, it has a sweet and tart taste, which is excellent when it is fresh or when it is used in cooking.
In farmer’s markets, these fruits bring great prices, but that also means you have to part with your produce…which might be more challenging than you expect once you taste these delicious fruits!
Owari Satsuma Mandarin Tree
The Owari Satsuma Mandarin is an evergreen tree that produces excellent fruit throughout the year.
If you were to plant this in a pot near your patio, or even in your yard as a specimen plant, it would look stunning.
Think of what it would be like to walk out into your yard and pick a fresh Mandarin orange right from your own tree.
I can still imagine the first gush of juice, still warm from the sun’s rays, as it flows over the tongue as you bite into it.
The zesty, sugary-sweet flavor that it has can’t be compared to anything else.
In terms of this experience, it is like none other, and the Owari Satsuma is the best tree to bring this experience into your own backyard.
