Imagine this: you step out the backdoor on a sunny summer day, walk down the garden, and pluck fresh fruit straight from the tree. It doesn’t get much better than that!
But choosing the right fruit trees for your garden can be a real challenge. With so many options available, knowing where to start is tough.
In this guide, we’re diving into the world of fruit trees, showcasing 50 types of fruit trees for your garden. From tried-and-true native favourites to less familiar fruit trees, you’re bound to find a selection of trees to suit your garden.
1. Apricot
Apricot trees are perfect for a small garden, as they have a compact growth habit. But beware – apricots aren’t suitable for every garden in the UK. Apricot trees produce gorgeous blossoms in early spring, which puts them at risk of frost damage. Due to this, they’re only suitable for warmer areas in the UK, such as the south-east of England.
2. Apples
We all know about the good ol’ apple. Apple trees have made a name for themself in the UK as the easiest fruit tree to grow. They can handle our cold frosts, rainy seasons, and hot summers, still producing plentiful fruit consistently each year.
Some of the best apple varieties for the UK are ‘Falstaff,’ ‘Enmeth Early,’ and ‘Charles Ross.’
READ NEXT: How Long Does it Take to Grow an Apple Tree?
3. Orange
Many of us may automatically assume oranges are a no-go for UK growing. But under the right conditions, these trees can thrive. In the south, you can grow orange trees from May onwards. But in the north, they’ll require a little protection. Simply wrap your tree in fleecel to protect it against the cold weather!
4. Pear
Pear trees are an excellent choice for UK gardens because they’re adapted to the UK climate. There are many varieties, so it’s easy to find a pear tree that suits your wants and needs.
For early to mid-September harvesting, choose the ‘Beth’ cultivar. For slightly later harvesting in October or November, go for ‘Conference’ or ‘Concorde.’
5. Lemon
Lemon trees are the easiest of the citrus family to grow in the UK because they’re more cold-tolerant and are less sensitive to weather fluctuations than other citrus varieties. Even if you’re up north, you can still grow a lemon tree indoors.
The best two lemon tree varieties to look out for are Lemon Meyers and the ‘Eureka’ lemon, also known as Lemon4seasons.
6. Avocado
While avocados won’t grow outdoors in the UK, they’re a beautiful houseplant. You can even grow an avocado from the stone – there’s no need to buy an established plant! I tried growing an avocado tree from the stone. Let me tell you, it takes a lot of patience and perseverance, but it’s possible.
Here are a couple of things I learnt in the process:
- Only use an avocado seed from ripe fruit, and ensure it has no damage like cracks, dents, or other signs of physical harm.
- Don’t place your avocado plant beside a draughty, single-glazed window. Instead, give it plenty of sunlight, ideally in a south-facing window.
- To ensure your avocado tree develops well, grow it in a large pot. At the young tree stage, upgrade the container to a 40-50 cm diameter pot.
READ NEXT: How to Grow an Avocado Tree Indoors
7. Lychee
Lychee is not hardy in our weather conditions, so a lychee tree, unfortunately, doesn’t have much hope of surviving in our gardens during winter. But you can grow it from seed and keep it as an indoor plant. However, there’s a catch – it’s not the best plant for an indoor container, so you’re unlikely to ever get fruit from this tree.
8. Mango
Mango trees grow well in greenhouses or conservatories in the UK, but much like lychee, they rarely produce fruit. But their green, glossy leaves still add value to a garden, even without fruit.
If you’re into growing fruit from seed, mango is another plant you can do this with. When I grew a mango tree from seed, I wrapped it in a damp piece of kitchen roll, placed this in a ziplock bag, and then stored it in the dark airing cupboard. Within a few weeks, the shoot had started to appear. I then placed it in a container with fresh potting mix, and it was good to go!
9. Coconut
The coconut palm is another fruit tree that needs to be kept indoors in any conditions that aren’t the tropical and subtropical climates it’s native to.
This tree needs to sit in damp soil, so saturate it once or twice a week with warm water. Let the container drain fully to avoid root rot.
Give your coconut palm 6 hours of direct sunlight minimum, and keep the environment humid. Sunrooms, south-facing rooms, or conservatories are prime spots.
10. Almond
Despite what many of us (including myself!) previously thought, almonds are a dry fruit, not a nut. Almond trees display gorgeous pink or white blossoms in spring and are pollinator magnets, drawing bees and other pollinators in droves.
‘Ingrid’ is the top choice for UK gardens, as it is well-adapted to our climate, still producing an abundance of almonds in late August.
11. Pomegranate
Pomegranate trees are steeped in history and symbolism, representing fertility, prosperity, and abundance across many cultures. In Greek mythology, the pomegranate was associated with Persephone, the goddess of spring and birth.
Pomegranate trees have a versatile growth habit, happily growing both outside (in the garden or a container) and indoors. They’re perfect if you have limited space!
The best pomegranate tree variety is ‘Provence,’ a French variety that can handle -5°C temperatures.
READ NEXT: How to Grow a Pomegranate Tree
12. Cherry
Cherry trees produce the perfect balance of delicious fruit and ornamental beauty.
Sweet dessert cherries like the ‘Kordia’ or ‘Stella’ are great for south or west-facing walls. But for a large garden or specimen tree, ‘Kanzan’ is your top choice. Its 12-metre height and vibrant pink blooms make it a showstopper.
My favourite all-rounder is ‘Sunburst.’ This tree produces so many cherries, all with a sweet, juicy flavour. ‘Sunburst’ is self-fertile, so it pollinates itself. This, combined with its compact size, makes it ideal for a small garden.
13. Fig
Fig trees love moisture-retentive and free-draining soil, and they’ll reward you with fruit if you place them in the sunniest spot you’ve got.
Fig trees typically produce two crops every year in cool climates like we have in the UK. However, the second crop rarely has enough time to ripen before it gets cold again.
14. Mulberry
A mulberry tree is very low maintenance once it’s established, making it one of the best choices if you’re a hands-off gardener who doesn’t have much spare time to tend to the garden.
The best varieties of Mulberry trees are ‘Chelsea’ and ‘Wellington’ as they’re medium-sized trees perfect for any garden.
15. Peach
Most people assume fruit trees must come from warmer areas of the world. But the truth is, peaches can grow perfectly well in a UK garden. Simply plant your peach tree in a sunny spot with shelter, and it’ll grow well. Consider a warm, south or west-facing wall, as this will give you the best crop.
‘Peregrine’ and ‘Rochester’ are two white-fleshed peaches that will grow well planted in the garden. But for container gardens, I recommend the dwarf varieties ‘Bonanza’ and ‘Garden Lady.’
16. Cashew
You may be surprised to see cashew on the list, as the word “cashew” is typically followed by “nut.” However, cashews are technically a “drupe,” and drupes are fruit. Cashew trees can be easy to grow once you get the hang of it, but they do need some quite specific growing conditions.
Grow your cashew tree in sandy soil with good drainage. These plants flourish when the average temperature is 25°C; however, they can handle temperatures as low as 10°C. They also need 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day.
17. Plum
As a nation, we love plums. Luckily, there are an amazing array of plum tree varieties, all producing fresh, juicy plums reliably every year.
They’re a prime choice for gardening novices, as they grow well in many soil types and typically adapt to different growing conditions. Plus, they don’t require much care. This is particularly the case for the ‘Avalon’ plum tree, which is disease resistant.
18. Persimmon
Permissions have a sweet, mild, honey-like flavour with an apricot-like texture. Persimmons are a less common fruit in the UK. However, they’re becoming increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s not difficult to see why.
Persimmon trees are considered hardy, meaning they can survive cold temperatures of up to -10°C, making them an excellent tree for UK gardens.
19. Grapefruit
In stark contrast to the sweet persimmon, grapefruit can taste like a tart or bitter orange. Yet, we still love them, adding them to our salads, seafood, desserts and, of course, our cocktails!
The grapefruit tree is believed to be a hybrid of the sweet orange and pomelo, originating in the Caribbean. As grapefruit trees are from the citrus family, they need a sun-soaked, sheltered spot.
20. Lime
Lime is another citrus tree that many of us would love to grow at home. Unfortunately, this tree isn’t for the fainthearted – it’s notoriously hard to care for in the UK. But rest assured- if you are willing to tend to your lime tree throughout the year, it can thrive in the UK climate.
Just pick a dwarf or compact variety like ‘Bearss’ or ‘Persian’ limes; these are best suited to the UK climate. Also, grow it in a pot so you can bring it indoors during cold weather.
21. Guava
Guava trees have gorgeous, glossy evergreen leaves that provide year-round interest, even during the winter. They also produce delightful, white flowers that slowly turn into fruit in 20 – 28 weeks.
Some guava trees are more cold-hardy than others, so it’s important to choose the right variety. Pineapple guava can withstand temperatures down to around -10°C, while the strawberry guava will survive anything down to -5°C.
22. Olive
An olive tree is the perfect accompaniment to gardens that celebrate the Mediterranean. But what do you pair with an olive tree? Lavender works incredibly well with olive trees, adding aroma and colour to the olive tree’s verdant backdrop. Thyme, oregano, and bunch grasses are also great companion plants.
23. Durian
Never heard of the durian fruit before? You’re not the only one. In fact, those that have usually call it by one name – the stinkiest fruit in the world. People have compared this fruit to sweaty socks and rubbish! So, perhaps think twice before introducing this into your garden.
24. Jackfruit
If you asked most people whether you could grow a jackfruit in the UK, their answers would likely be no. But it is possible, albeit challenging. Provide the jackfruit tree with a controlled environment, with the right amount of warmth and humidity to mimic its native habitat – the tropical regions of the world – and you can produce a healthy jackfruit tree.
25. Crab Apple
Crab apples are smaller than apples, growing up to 2 inches in diameter as opposed to the apple’s 2+ inches. The crab apple tree is a popular garden tree because it looks good throughout the whole year. It owes this to its delicate blossom in spring and little red or yellow apples. When autumn arrives, so does its glorious foliage.
26. Elder Tree
Many berries grow on bushes or shrubs, but not the elderberry. Elderberries come from elder trees – the same trees that give us elderflowers, often used to make cordials and other beverages.
If you’re into cooking, you’ll love the elder tree – you can use elderberries to make pies, cordials, wines, jams, and more! And the added bonus – elder trees are low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning and care once it has become established.
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27. Kumquat
Kumquats are a citrus tree, much like oranges and tangerines. Their sweet, tangy flavour makes them popular worldwide. Kumquats aren’t hardy, so they won’t do well in our cold winter temperatures.
But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. You can grow a kumquat tree in a container in your home, so long as you ensure it has 6 hours of sunlight a day and is protected from any sudden temperature changes.
28. Rambutan
Rambutan trees are the choice for you if you’re a gardener with a taste for the exotic. While you’re unlikely to find a rambutan tree in your local garden centre, you can buy seeds or seedlings online. Once you’ve nurtured this seedling into a juvenile plant, you can move it out into a greenhouse.
Rambutan trees are a gardener’s challenge, but if given the correct conditions, they will reward you with sweet, acidic, spiky fruit!
29. Sweet Chestnut
With the sweet chestnut tree, there’s a lot to love. It produces a broad, spreading crown and deeply furrowed bark, making it a popular choice in gardens, parks, and woodlands alike. It’s also well-known for its autumn display, showing off unique shades of copper and gold. Sweet chestnuts prefer full sun and well-drained soil and won’t fruit in the shade.
30. Papaya
This tropical tree is the very picture of elegance in a UK garden. That being said, its adaptability only goes so far, so place your papaya tree on a sunny patio, in a conservatory, or in a well-protected garden in milder regions.
Gardeners love the papaya tree most, not only for its fruit but also its rapid growth. The tree is ready to fruit in less than a year, with the right care.
31. Pecan
Pecan trees are a rarity in the fruit tree world. Why? Because they bloom later in spring, which reduces the risk of their delicate flowers becoming damaged from late frosts.
Pecan trees can grow to an impressive height of up to 50 metres in the UK, making the traditional variety a top pick for a large garden.
32. Medlar
Medlar trees are a hidden gem, once popular in Mediaeval times but barely talked about these days. As a result, little is known about them.
These trees are low-maintenance, typically don’t suffer from pests or diseases, and don’t need much in the way of pruning. The fruit appears in late summer, ready for picking in autumn.
What’s not to love?
33. Quince
Quince trees work a little differently from other fruit trees. Our UK summers aren’t usually sufficient for them to ripen fully. But if you leave them on the tree and wait to collect them until just before the frost, then store them for six weeks in a cool, dark spot in your home, their flavour will develop.
Although they shouldn’t be eaten raw, they provide an unusual yet wonderful taste in jams, jellies, and desserts.
34. Walnut
Walnut trees have been common in the UK since Roman times – no doubt you’ve come across walnuts crunching under your feet as you walk through your local forest, park, or woodland.
Walnut trees also do wonders for biodiversity, providing food for various insects and animals. And when we eat walnuts, they also have health benefits for us!
35. Nectarine
Most gardeners buy a nectarine tree from a local garden centre or online plant shop. You can grow it from the stone of a shop-bought nectarine, but this often won’t survive the UK weather.
Plant your nectarine tree in a sunny spot with plenty of shelter, like a south or west-facing wall, and your tree will likely gift you a beautiful spring blossom and crop of juicy nectarines during summer.
For container growing, it’s best to choose the dwarf variety ‘Nectarella.’
36. Banana
Banana trees are loved for their tall stems and luscious, green leaves in the UK. Unfortunately, we don’t often see them flower or fruit outdoors. However, you can achieve this if you keep your banana tree in a heated greenhouse or conservatory.
The best banana tree varieties are the Musa x paradisiaca ‘Variegata’ if you’re after a houseplant and the Musa x paradisiaca ‘Rajapuri’ if you’d prefer to plant it outdoors.
READ NEXT: How to Grow a Banana Tree
37. Gages
Gages are a form of plum that come in two colours: golden yellow or vibrant green. The flowers they produce before the fruit attract a whole host of pollinators, including bees, making them a valuable addition to a wildlife garden.
In colder parts of the UK, ‘Guthrie’s Late Green’ is your best bet. That or ‘Oullins Gage.’ These both flower later in the year, which reduces the risk of frost damage.
38. Damson
Damson trees have been around for a long time, dating back to potentially before Roman times. They’re a popular choice for large gardens as they provide food and shelter for a range of bees, other pollinators, and birds. They work especially well in a hedgerow, providing a natural windbreak.
39. Blackthorn
The blackthorn tree is native to the UK, so it’s well-adapted to our weather conditions, meaning it doesn’t require much care.
Most people know blackthorn trees for one reason: the sloes they produce. Sloes are commonly used to flavour wine, whisky, gin, and syrup. So, if you want to try creating your favourite alcoholic tipple at home, the blackthorn tree is perfect!
40. Hawthorn
Hawthorn trees are model hedge or garden plants because of their small to medium size and dense coverage. But if you’re using the hawthorn as a hedge, be warned – it’s deciduous, meaning it loses its leaves in winter. However, when it’s covered in foliage, it provides a valuable food source and plenty of shelter for wildlife.
41. Jamaican Tangelo
The Jamaican tangelo tree is a citrus tree from, you guessed it, the island of Jamaica! It also commonly goes by the name “Ugli fruit,” as the fruit is known to have an ugly appearance. This is a hybrid tree created by crossing the tangerine or mandarin and a grapefruit tree.
Keep your Jamaican tangelo tree in a heated greenhouse with plenty of access to sunlight, and it’ll do just fine.
42. Soursop
Soursop trees can be lovely indoor plants as they produce oval-shaped, luscious leaves. Plus, their leaves are traditionally made for tea, not just for the taste but for nutritional content, containing antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties! It’s also believed to provide immune system support and be good for our digestive health.
43. Pomelo
The pomelo looks very similar to a grapefruit, as this was its ancestor. However, it’s much larger. In fact, it’s the largest citrus fruit in the world, growing between 10 – 30.5 cm across.
Pomelo trees are originally from the Far East, namely Thailand, Southern China, and Malaysia. Now, pomelo trees are often bought as specimen trees. In the UK, they need to be kept in a heated greenhouse.
44. Sapodilla
Sapodilla trees are grown mostly as ornamental trees, for their sweet, pulpy fruit and to provide shade in their native regions, southern Mexico and Central America.
In the UK, this tree needs lots of warmth, sun exposure, and humidity. Also, give your sapodilla a boost with balanced, slow-release fertiliser during the growing season.
45. Loquat
The loquat is a small, winter-hardy tree that keeps its large, tropical leaves all year round. Its characteristic tropical look can add an exotic touch to a garden.
One thing to know about loquat trees is that they have extremely delicate branches that are prone to breaking. This makes finding a sheltered spot for them imperative!
46. Indian Jujube
Also known as the Chinese date or Indian plum, this tree is easy to grow on one condition: you plant it in well-drained, sandy soil. This plant also doesn’t have particular pH preferences, making it easier to look after than some of the other exotics on this list.
Give your jujube a sheltered, sunny place in your garden, and it’ll grow into a beautiful small tree.
47. Starfruit
You can grow a starfruit from seed, and it’ll fruit in 3-4 years. Simply place your starfruit seeds in damp peat moss. Then, once sprouted, it’s best to plant it in coco coir or sandy loam soil. Then, once it becomes more established with several branches and leaves, replant it in a bigger pot filled with multi-purpose compost.
48. Stone Apple
The stone apple tree, also known as Bael in its local region or ‘wood apple’ here, is native to subtropics and tropics and can’t get enough of the warm, humid conditions these locations provide. To keep this tree fit and healthy, grow it in a conservatory or greenhouse – it won’t accept anything less!
49. Pawpaw
Pawpaw trees are native to North America and so aren’t well-suited to UK growing. They need a hot, long growing season to successfully produce fruit. However, it still makes an eye-catching ornamental tree if you ensure you adequately protect it from the cold, wrapping it in horticultural fleece during frosts.
50. Tamarillo
Tamarillo, also commonly known as the tomato tree, is a tropical fruit native to South America. Much like the pawpaw tree, you can grow the tamarillo tree in the UK, but it struggles in this colder climate. So, you’ll need a greenhouse or conservatory to grow the tomato tree in your garden.
This tree also requires regular pruning to maintain its shape and well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
FAQs
What fruit trees are in the UK?
Cherry, pear, fig, damson, plum, and apple trees are all in the UK. But don’t let this deter you from growing other fruit trees – you can also grow hardy kiwis, quince, persimmon, and pawpaws, among others.
What is the most common fruit tree?
The most common fruit tree in the UK is apple, closely followed by pear trees. These can handle our cold winters, wet weather, and warm summers.
Which fruits grow best in the UK?
Apples, pears, figs, and strawberries grow best in the UK. You’ll also find many blackberry bushes fruiting in summer, with August, September, and early October being prime time to pick these.
What fruit tree is easiest to grow?
Apple trees are the easiest fruit trees to grow in the UK because they live for a long time, can survive our temperamental weather, and produce a heavy crop with little maintenance requirements. Pear trees, plum trees, and cherry trees are also some of the easiest to grow in the UK.
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