Citrus

These limes are named for CA nurseryman J.T. Bearss, who reportedly discovered this lime seedling in his nursery in the late 1800’s. But their origination is less important than the large, dark green seedless fruits that these trees produce. These are the quintessential “grocery store” limes. Oval shaped with pointed ends, with bright yellow-green juicy, acidic and tart flavor. They are vigorous trees, with virtually no thorns, with cold hardiness like that of lemon trees, and they are reliably productive.
All varieties of edible Citrus make lovely ornamental landscape trees for the low desert. They all have deep green, glossy leaves, unique, sturdy branching structure, with attractive, sweetly fragranced white blooms primarily from February through March. Contrary to common belief, they are relatively low maintenance once established and they are long-lived, moderate growers. All edible Citrus spp. are grafted onto size-determining rootstocks. While the fruit is not affected, Standard rootstocks allow trees to reach 25-30 ft. high & wide at maturity and Semi-dwarf rootstock trees grow 30-50% the size of a Standard tree. Provide citrus trees with well-drained soil, regular deep watering, especially during the growing season, and annual spring feedings with a balanced and complete fertilizer.

Washington Navel is one of the best known and most widely distributed orange varieties, prized for fresh eating with its easy to peel rind and seedless fruits. They can be juiced, but only juice what you will use immediately, since the juice turns bitter rather quickly when stored due to tannins in the juice. Navel orange trees require consistent watering, more than other Citrus varieties, especially in the months following fruit set. Drought induced fruit drop often occurs as summer temperature climb if these trees are not adequately watered. Classic, medium sized fruits typically ripen from December to March in the Phoenix area.

All varieties of edible Citrus make lovely ornamental landscape trees for the low desert. They all have deep green, glossy leaves, unique, sturdy branching structure, with attractive, sweetly fragranced white blooms primarily from February through March. Contrary to common belief, they are relatively low maintenance once established and they are long-lived, moderate growers. All edible Citrus spp. are grafted onto size-determining rootstocks. While the fruit is not affected, Standard rootstocks allow trees to reach 25-30 ft. high & wide at maturity and Semi-dwarf rootstock trees grow 30-50% the size of a Standard tree. Provide citrus trees with well-drained soil, regular deep watering, especially during the growing season, and annual spring feedings with a balanced and complete fertilizer.

Fig trees can tolerate colder temperatures in high desert regions with some added protection, but they are perfectly hardy as any deciduous trees in USDA zones 8 and warmer. Figs are an ancient fruit that have been cultivated for centuries. They are prized for fresh eating, for jams, baking and mostly as dried fruit. ‘Black Mission’ is a vigorous growing variety and one of the largest, but their size is easily and often controlled by annual pruning. They are heat loving plants, and require ample water during the growing season (April-Sept.) but require little to none during fall & winter. Fig fruits are like no others. They have a soft white interior with a mass of seeds within a jelly-like flesh. Those seeds can either be hollow (if unpollinated) or solid (pollinated) with a nutty flavor. Figs typically produce two seasonal crops, the first is in the spring from the previous years’ growth which are not usually as flavorful. The second crop occurs in the fall on new season’s growth, and these fruits are considered the main crop. Fig trees form gnarly, smooth gray bark, low and spreading scaffold branches. The leaves are bright green, rough or somewhat fuzzy and are deep palmately lobed. All of their attractive physical characteristics, hardiness, durability and fruit production make them a great choice for any residential landscape project.

Kumquat trees are small ornamental trees that produce edible citrus-like fruits that are typically eaten whole. This variety has larger bright green leaves, and larger juicier, slightly pear-shaped fruits than most other types. Once mature, they usually produce flowers from May to Sept. with fruit bearing throughout the year. Due to their size and reliability to bear, they are prized for growing in large containers. Use them anywhere a fragrant flowering small tree is desirable, such as poolside, patio, or courtyard. Easy to care for citrus, quite cold tolerant, with average water and maintenance needs.

‘Anna’ apple, like other apples require two different cultivars to produce fruit through proper cross-pollination. As a flowering ornamental tree, they are attractive and fairly sturdy trees. Although they are not considered drought tolerant, they do not mind low desert heat as long as they are watered well, especially during the summer months from May through September. All apple trees require chill hours to bear fruit, this cultivar, developed in Israel, has a low enough chill hour requirement to produce fruit in mild winter areas such as Phoenix or CA desert regions. The fruits are good for fresh eating, sauce or baking. Green skin blushed with red and white sweet-tart juicy flesh make this apple highly appealing.

This is a dwarf peach tree suitable for large containers or in-ground planting for edible gardens with small spaces. They are deciduous trees, which are reliably self-fruitful with low chill hour requirements, so they produce well in the low desert gardens. Long, curved lance-shaped bright green leaves follow bright pink early spring blooms. Like other dwarf trees, ‘Bonanza’ peach is precocious, tending to set fruits the first season after planting, but thinning any first fruits is recommended for the long-term success of the tree. Don’t worry, trees will produce quality fruits for years to come. Pruning for shape and tree health should be done during dormancy in mid-winter. Half wine/whiskey barrels or cement pots of a similar size are ideal for these small, ornamental peach trees. Regular water during the summer months, especially after fruit set. Fruits are freestone, fuzzy orange with reddish blush with sweet juicy yellow flesh. They ripen mid-season.

‘Santa Rosa’ plum is a low chill hour (300-500 hrs.) variety that is reliably self-fruitful, with red-purple clingstone juicy fruits that ripen midseason. Like other self-fruitful varieties, crops will have better long-term quality, size and yield if planted with another variety for proper cross-pollination. These are vigorous growing trees with a naturally upright habit. Oval, dark green soft leaves, with bronze bark that becomes rough, and scaly with maturity. They require some limited annual pruning to maintain a healthy and productive canopy, which is done while trees are dormant in mid-winter. Organically amended soils with good drainage is best for any fruit bearing trees. Regular, supplemental deep water is needed for these plums through the hottest summer months. Trees reach maturity to start bearing fruit only 2-3 years from planting.