skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

Any sources of unusual fruiting plants in Denver?

fabaceae_native

10 years ago

Does anyone know of any nurseries in the greater Denver area that have anything other than the usual fruits?

I know it is a long shot, but I would love to pick up any of the following while I am there, if any place has them:
- seaberry
- jujube
- Am persimmon
- maypop
- goumi
- mulberry (fruiting variety)
- che fruit
- serviceberry (fruiting variety)
- pawpaw

Several of these are available from time to time here in little old Santa Fe, NM, so I am surprised that a big city like Denver would not have all or most of them...

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

canadianplant
10 years ago
Pawpaw are gaining popularity, dont seem hardy where i am by the northern great lakes.

Serviceberry/saskatoonberry are wicked plants. Fast growing, and super hardy. Dont know if there is a problem of them fruiting too early in early warm ups in spring. I think there is one or 2 native in CO

ive read P incarnata is grown up in ohio no problem. They can be somewhat invasive. A frind in NC was telling me shoots comming up 20 feet away. I think its hardy to zone 5 with some good placement and protection, maybe zone 4.

seaberry absolutely dislike hot temps. I dont know how far south they can be grown, or how high up.

What about coronus mas, or nanking cherry?
0
milehighgirl
10 years ago
fabaceae_native,

I was really stumped by your post. I had never even heard of a pawpaw (except in Jungle Book, which of course is ridiculous b/c pawpaws would never grow where jungle animals are found).

I did a search of GW and found a post that has a lot of information about local nurseries, but alas, only the serviceberry is to be found from your list.

You should make a stop at Timberline if you are in the area. I'm headed there tomorrow to explore their fruiting, cold-hardy cactus. (http://coldhardycactus.com). His nursery is Timberline at http://www.timberlinegardens.com.

Your post really stumped me because it had never even occurred to me to look locally for the plants on your list.

Of your list I have or have had:
- jujube
- Am persimmon
- goumi
- mulberry
- serviceberry
- pawpaw

Here is a link that might be useful: Your favorite seed and plant sources
0
Related Discussions
Mature fruit plant sources?
Q
Comments (7)
Hi all- Thanks to everyone for their responses. I think there is a good amount of wisdom in the people who are asserting the "start small and be patient". That said, as mentioned previously, IÂm not always good at being patient! Additionally, all of the mature fruit plants that I have bought have always worked out great. For example, my granny smith tree was a left over tree at the nursery and was actually 2 or 3 years older than many of the new trees that they had just gotten. I brought it home and stuck it in the ground. Yeah, it was a bit root bound, but within a month, it was flourishing. Even after thinning of the apples, I still got 12 that first year, and twelve the 2nd year. This year, itÂs going through its 3rd season with me, and the tree is doing great. I keep pruning it back to 8 feet or so, and it seems to get stronger and fuller each month. (well, ok, maybe not this month of November!) In the beginning, I did most of my raspberries as 1 gallon nursery plants. Yeah, they were more expensive, but it was worth it when I wanted to get more berries the 1st and 2nd year. I would assert that, with brambles, if youÂre willing to pay the extra, youÂll get a more productive plant faster. The reason IÂve gone to bare root plants with my brambles is so that I can get more variety and keep the cost downÂ. And with 10 beds and counting, I now have enough berries that I can afford to be patient on the new ones. With my blueberries, IÂve often bought those as a 1-3 gallon nursery plants. But, IÂve even moved some of them after they were in the ground for a year, and still gotten tons of blueberries off them. IÂve gotten to the point that IÂm fearless about dormant transplanting my plants because they always have done far better than I would have ever expected. I think itÂs easy to be patient when you already have a lot of things producingÂ. And each year, itÂs getting easier for me to do so as some of my plants mature. So, yes, most of my plants this year will be bare root. But, sometimes I like to defy convention wisdom throw in a more mature plant just because I have only had good experiences so far. If the plant doesnÂt do well, at least I will have learned something. Thanks again for all the responses. I just canÂt say enough about how helpful this forum is. Thanks to everyone! -Glenn
...See More
Have any of you tried growing these unusual fruits?
Q
Comments (12)
Bill, grafted Loquats (named varieties) are an excellent choice. The fruit from my Golden Nugget tree was superb. But they are prone to fireblight, which eventually killed my tree. They taste a lot like juicy Apricots, with a kick! Birds, unfortunately, love them! I probably will buy another one. It is a nice-looking tree. I grew mine in a half whiskey barrel, and it fruited very well. Isn't that book awesome? I carry it with me all the time and read it whenever I have a few free moments. It is endlessly fascinating! I have a Fuyo Persimmon, newly purchased. It is attractive and healthy, and supposedly the fruit is very good. I have not ever eaten a Persimmon though.. I also have a Guthrie Plum, but it is a regular Plum, (low-chill). It produced small, yellow fruits last year, nothing this year. My 7 Plum trees simply cannot bloom together to cross-pollinate! Lisa
...See More
unusual edibles in Denver
Q
Comments (3)
They are not at all unusual, but try what they call a clove currant. It is much better than the regular currants and has incredibly spicy scented yellow and red flowers early in the spring. Small, maple type leaf, and beautiful color in the fall.
...See More
Looking for unusual fruits and more.
Q
Comments (1)
Bumping up. Also, I forgot to include tomatillos in my Want list. Rodney
...See More
canadianplant
10 years ago
Actually Milehigh - Pawpaw in North america has a variation that grows in florida, and the asimina triloba indeed grows into central florida (not tropical mind you, but well warmer then most of NA). there are also a few tropical species which are related to the pawpaw, and i also think some tropical countries call papaya, pawpaw..........

Also, if you go to that hardy cactus place, see if you find a yucca baccata, hardiest trunking yucca (so the lit says), and has an edible "banana" which the anizazzi ate regularly. (fab, id recommend this to you as well!)
0
fabaceae_native
Original Author
10 years ago
Canadian, thanks for your input on the viability of some of the plants on that list.

Actually, seaberry is apparently tolerant of some heat, since there are some huge bushes/trees here in Santa Fe that fruit well. We have cool nights through the summer, but 80's and 90's are the normal daytime temps.

Really the only plant I'm doubtful will do well here is Pawpaw. I already have most of the others and want more without having to wait for next spring to do the mail order thing.

Milehigh, thanks so much for the tip on Timberline. I remember you mentioned it in a post a while back but I had forgotten what it was called.

Oh yeah, Yucca baccata is a common wild plant where I live, but rarely has a trunk (the variant that grows in Southern California is sometimes trunked). I have tried the fruits and never was able to make them palatable.
0

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Grow Blueberries for Their Fruit and More

By Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm

Eastern gardeners should consider growing blueberry plants for their delicious fruits, bee-friendly spring blooms and brilliant fall foliage

MOST POPULAR How to Get Rid of Those Pesky Summer Fruit Flies

By Mitchell Parker

Learn what fruit flies are, how to prevent them and how to get rid of them in your home

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Farmhouse Style With an Unusual Inspiration

By Becky Harris

Comfort and sophistication are no surprise inside this Colorado home, but the exterior has an unexpected backstory

SPRING GARDENING Top 10 Scented Plants for Your Garden

By Carol Bucknell Garden Design

A palette of perfumed plants can transform even the smallest of gardens into a sensory delight

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Passiflora Incarnata

By Ginny Stibolt

Enjoy the amazing flowers and edible fruit of U.S. native Passiflora incarnata (also known as maypop) — the butterflies sure do

BLUE AND GRAY FOLIAGE Great Design Plant: Kintzley's Ghost Honeysuckle

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Looking for a versatile plant with beautiful color and texture? This unusual honeysuckle may be just the ticket

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Unsung Bulbs for Fall Planting

By LuAnn Brandsen

Don't hang up your spade after summer — plant these unusual bulbs in fall for a spectacular spring show

PURPLE FOLIAGE Great Design Plant: Smoke Tree

By Annie Thornton

Plant a 'Grace' smoke tree for months of red, burgundy and purple foliage and an unusual spring bloom

FLOWERS Rudbeckia Mania: Go Beyond Black-Eyed Susan in the Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Branch out from typical nursery fare, with lesser-known Rudbeckia species that have delightfully unexpected features

Sponsored

More Discussions

Whats wrong with my apple tree?

18

beginning fruit or new leaves

6

Health Issue with a cherry plum tree

3

Is this a crabapple?

8

New leaves on apples trees shriveling up

1