Persea americana 'Hardee Red' (Avocado)

Persea americana, the avocado, is an evergreen fruit tree native to southern Mexico and Central America, cultivated for thousands of years and now grown throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Belonging to the laurel family, it develops into a medium to large tree with a dense canopy of glossy green leaves, reaching 20 to 60 feet depending on climate and rootstock, and remaining productive for decades.
Fruits vary widely in size, shape, skin texture, and color - from smooth green to rough dark-purple - depending on the cultivar. The flesh is rich in healthy oils and prized for its smooth buttery texture. The species is also notable for its unusual flowering biology, with flowers opening in two phases that promote cross-pollination between complementary types.
Cultivars derived from Mexican, Guatemalan, and West Indian genetic backgrounds show considerable variation in fruit quality, harvest season, and cold tolerance. The hardiest Mexican-type selections may survive temperatures near 20F when mature, while many West Indian types sustain damage below 30F. Avocado grows best in full sun with well-drained soil and regular moisture; it is sensitive to prolonged waterlogging. Generally suited to USDA Zones 9b-11. See more about avocado:
Avocado varieties chart.
Avocado variety guide: Snack or Guacamole?
Growing avocadoes in Florida
The Magic of the Avocado

Persea americana 'Hardee Red' is a West Indian-Guatemalan hybrid avocado cultivar from Florida, valued for its productive growth, good fruit quality, and adaptation to warm subtropical and tropical climates.

The cultivar's most distinctive feature is its fruit: medium to large, with a noticeable reddish to maroon blush on sun-exposed skin - the trait that inspired the name. The flesh is creamy and pale yellow, with a medium-sized seed and a good proportion of edible flesh.

The tree is a medium to large evergreen with a broad canopy and glossy dark green leaves, often maintained smaller through pruning. Cold tolerance is lower than in Mexican-type avocados; mature trees can handle brief drops to around 28-30F, though flowers and young growth are frost-sensitive. 'Hardee Red' is suited to USDA Zones 9b-11, grows best in full sun with well-drained soil, and becomes moderately drought tolerant once established.