skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

fruit tree or shrub to grow in ric va ?

9 years ago

HI ,

I live in Richmond VA zone 7 ,this spring i m planning on putting some fruit tree or shrub for the first time in my fenced backyard.
I m not sure what grows well with minimum maintenance here knowing that our summer are really humid and hot .

I m looking into raspberries, currant, fig for now but i don t know which variety would Do the best ?How much sun would they need ?
what other tree or shrub would do well ?
Any nursery recommendation ?
When would i need to start this project ?

thanks

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

forestandfarm
9 years ago
American persimmons and pawpaw are fruit trees that are native to the area. American persimmons are very low maintenance. I use them in wildlife settings where regular fertilization, spraying, watering, etc. are not practical.

A non-native fruit tree that is pretty low maintenance is Chinese Jujube. They have few pests or disease in this area. There are lots of varieties to choose from. The only caution here is that most Jujube are grown on a wild rootstock. They tend to propagate through the root system with seedlings popping up 20' or more from the tree. Because these are coming from the wild rootstock, they would likely produce poor quality fruit. As long as you keep the area around them mowed a couple times a year this should not be a problem in a back yard setting.

Good Luck!
appleseed70
9 years ago
Do you or your family like pears?
Related Discussions
Controlling grass around fruiting trees and shrubs
Q
Comments (22)
I took Harvestman's advice a year ago and it worked like a charm. 80+ trees that had weeds all around. We took wet newspapers and covered with recycled mulch. In tough weed areas we used cardboard and mulch. I get my newspapers at the recycle center and my cardboard at our local food market. I ask for the recycled boxes, they are always happy to give those to me. I also had a really bad area around the back of my garage. Last year I covered it with very thick cardboard and mulch and placed some pots with flowers to make the area look decent. This Spring the soil in that area looks great and I'll turn it into an herb and flower bed.
...See More
Recommendations for small fruiting and nut trees and shrubs?
Q
Comments (7)
You have covered almost all small fruits including rasberries. Rasberries are the ones that will not fail to fruit. Most others (but not all) trees will grow nicely but may not fruit every year in Zone4~5 even if you get the hardiest ones. Apples may be one of the exception. From my experience in Zone 5, I would suggest to include "Evan" cherry in case you also discover that sweet cheries are difficult to fruit in colder zones (in addition to the associated diseases for the stone fruit trees). Evan cherry will fruit most of the years. I will also recommend CHUM (Cherry-Plum hybrid. These are hardy and available from 'DNA Gardens ...(Google it)'. Get a good combination for pollination. In addition, think about honeyberries. They fruit in colder zones. I am having problem growing Blueberries in Zone 5 so I cannot say much about it unless you want to try your luck. Keep in mind that the Zone numbers are indicative of winter harshness but not all similar Zones will have similar summer conditions. Some Zone 4 locations will have warmer summers than other Zone 4 locations with better gardening results. Good luck in your selection.
...See More
Need help identifying a VA native tree and shrub
Q
Comments (2)
I went in for a closer inspection in an attempt to grab a closer picture of a bud, then it's struck me... there's actually a "parasitically" attached bigleaf magnolia growing out the side of the tree. So the main tree must definitely be a beech. I agree with the laurel assessment, but the validation confirms it. Thanks again!
...See More
ID of shrub or tree with fruit or nut Zn 5a New England.
Q
Comments (4)
Thank you both! This is exactly what it is. One of my very favorite nuts. I want to slap myself for being so quick to cut down brush before identifying it. I could’ve had quite a little orchard by now and I’m sure the deer would enjoy it as well as the turkeys. Now I have to figure out how I can transplant it or take cuttings. It is growing in a very gravelly driveway area with a lot of bark mulch around it. I wonder if I’ll get to taste one before the animals get it. I’m so excited. Now I want to hear from anyone who has been growing them in my zone. Here is a link I just found: https://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2016/10/03/hazelnut-trees-are-easy/
...See More
Charlie
9 years ago
I live in Northern VA and I have a fuyu persimmon, shown in picture, that produced over 200 perssimons last year, shown in second picture. I also have two asian pears (need to be blight resistant) and two paw paws. Also have blackberries, raspberries and figs. Figs die back to the ground each year.
Charlie
9 years ago
I also grow fuzzy kiwis shown hear.
appleseed70
9 years ago
Nice looking tree Charlie....and a damned nice looking patio!
pelouse
Original Author
9 years ago
yes appleseed we do enjoy eating pears any recommendations ?.Me i remembered growing up eating fresh and juicy pears off the tree(in france) .I m gonna have to make a choice between all this possibilities.
charlieboring what type of blackberries , rasberries,figs are you growing ?
Do they do good in the summer ?how much sun do they get?

thanks
meredith_e Z7b, Piedmont of NC, 1000' elevation
9 years ago
I have luck so far in weather like yours with figs (a local 'Italian' pass-along), blueberries, and cane berries. And strawberries, but I can't ever get a crop after the hot summer for some reason (the heat?) on my day-neutral ones.

My solid varieties so far: Cherokee blackberry, Rosanna raspberry, Chandler and Sunshine Blue blueberries, then Britewell and Briteblue rabbiteyes, and Albion strawberries.

The only thing I've compared a lot of varieties of are the strawberries so far. Albion is my definite favorite there.
meredith_e Z7b, Piedmont of NC, 1000' elevation
9 years ago
I don't mean that's all we can grow, btw! I have lots of trees and things coming along nicely. I just haven't gotten to taste them yet ;)

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

TREES How to Buy Healthy Trees and Shrubs

By Falon Mihalic

A healthy young plant with a strong form is more likely to do well in your yard. Here’s what to look for at the nursery

EDIBLE GARDENS Why Grow Quince? For Beauty, Fragrance and Old-Time Flavor

By Marianne Lipanovich

Delightfully perfumed fruit and lovely spring blossoms make this apple and pear cousin worth a spot in the garden

FRUIT TREES How to Grow Your Own Juicy Plums

By Marianne Lipanovich

Easier than other stone fruits and with a variety of colors to choose from, plums are a versatile garden addition

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crop: How to Grow Blueberries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant blueberries in spring or fall for garden beauty through three seasons — and a sweet superfood in summer

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Native Shrubs for Year-Round Bird Feeding

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It’s not just about berries. These plants provide insects for birds and seasonal interest for gardeners

GARDENING GUIDES How to Avoid Overcrowded, Overpruned Shrubs

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Go for a more natural look that’s easier and less expensive to maintain by giving your plants the right amount of growing room

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops

By Marianne Lipanovich

This guide will help any gardener get started on growing the freshest warm-season veggies and berries for summer

GARDENING GUIDES 7 New Plants to Grow for Beautiful Foliage

Add color, structure and interest to your garden with these recently introduced plants that sport exceptional foliage

Sponsored

More Discussions

Small pomegranate for container?

1

beginning fruit or new leaves

6

No flowers on my apricot tree?

6

Beginner apple tree initial care

0

how to ripen Pyrus communis bosc pears

0