Q: I am looking for a fruit tree for my backyard that is low
maintenance, fast fruiting, and can take some cold (I live in Orlando FL and we
do get occasional frost in winter). I like the taste of Loquat fruit, it
reminds me of apricots. How cold hardy is this tree?
A: Loquat tree is a very good choice for Florida gardens. It can
take both cold and heat and produces lots of tasty fruit right away. Last
winter when we had a record freeze in our area with a couple of nights around
25F, the only trees that didn't get any damage at all were Loquats and
Macadamias, and those were still young, newly planted 4 ft trees.
To learn more about Loquat trees, check out this
and article: Golden Loquat - the symbol of Prosperity.
...Do you know what is the most hard-shelled nut in the world? And the
most useful? Most rich in nutrients? May aid weight loss? They are Macadamia
nuts!...
...Macadamia nuts garner premium prices as the demand surpasses current production...
...Are you searching for a nut that you can grow in cooler subtropics like Central Florida? This is the one. It looks hopeful as a new
alternative crop for Florida growers. Macadamia nuts are most delicious and
popular sweet nuts that are so expensive... They can be produced and enjoyed in your garden! Macadamia is cold hardy, fast growing, tolerates all soils and very productive. It likes lots of water, will live through some flooding, as well as some drought once established. Older trees can survive cold winters with a little die back, but young trees will
need to be protected from cold temperatures below 25-26F...
Coldhardy Aronia and its Superfruit:
a Magic gift from the Native Americans
by Alex Butova, the Witch of Herbs and Cats
...A very cold hardy fruiting plant (USDA hardiness zone 3-9),
Chokeberry has been cultivated for ages as both ornamental and food plant. Enjoy them
in an array of foods as they are rich in vitamins. Masses of fragrant, white
flowers bloom in spring; gorgeous red fall colors and extra large berries
follow the glossy summer foliage. Persistent, purplish black berries are high in
nutrients and can be used for pies and jellies. This is one of the true
super fruits, high in antioxidants with huge health benefits. This fruit is
widely used in Eastern Europe in holistic medicine for lowering blood pressure.
Fruit should be consumed with caution as excessive amount can cause significant
and immediate blood pressure drop...
Guava varieties: Pink flesh (upper left quarter), White flesh and Cas
(upper right quarter), Red Cattley Guava (bottom left quarter) and Golden
Cattley (bottom right quarter).
Let’s talk Guava. Few fruits check as many boxes: flavor,
productivity, health, and adaptability. We’ve grown guava trees at Top
Tropicals for years here in Florida, and it never fails to surprise people
with how
easy it is — and how quickly it rewards you.
🌿 Health Benefits
We know the first question:"Why guava in addition to all the other
fruit trees I could plant?"Because guava is one of the healthiest tropical
fruits you can eat and grow — and it produces faster than almost
anything
else.
Vitamin C powerhouse — guava has four times more vitamin C than
oranges. One fruit covers your daily needs and then some.
Potassium and fiber — good for balancing blood pressure and
keeping your heart strong.
Antioxidants like lycopene and vitamin C — these keep your skin
glowing and help protect your cells from damage.
Dietary fiber — aids digestion and helps keep blood sugar
steady.
Guava is a true"food as medicine"tree you can plant right in your
backyard or in pot.
♥️ Our Favorite Varieties are Available Now
We currently have a DOZEN excellent guava varieties in stock selected by
our plant expert Tatiana Anderson — something special for every
garden. Our top picks are:
Pink Guavas
Barbie Pink
– Yellow pear-shaped fruit with thick pink flesh, sweet and juicy.
Coldhardy for a tropical fruit. The best seller.
Hong Kong
– Large, round, smooth pink fruit. Sweet flavor, very few seeds, and
very
productive.
Tikal
– Our top pick. Fast-growing, disease-resistant, and produces the
sweetest
pink guavas with very few seeds.
White Guavas
Indonesian White
– Aromatic, classic white-fleshed guava with an excellent
tropical flavor.
Kilo White
– Giant fruit up to 2 lbs (1 kilo) each! Few seeds, creamy white
flesh,
and fruits even in containers.
Brazilian Araca
Pera – Rare hybrid used for Guava Wine in Brazil. Tart,
concentrated juice makes excellent wine, sorbet, or jelly. Learn more...
Pineapple Guava,
Guavasteen – Feijoa sellowiana. Strongly perfumed fruit, best
enjoyed when the pulp is mixed with sugar – like forest strawberries.
Cold-hardy, tolerates freeze, and doubles as a great windbreak. Learn more...
The best tropical fruit tree for container growing, and the fastest to fruit:
Rollinia (Rollinia deliciosa) - the biggest Annona fruit
Sugar Apple (Annona squamosa)
Guanabana (Annona muricata)
Pineapple Annona Golden (Annona costaricana)
Custard Apple (Annona reticulata)
Mountain Soursop or Hedgehog (Annona montana)
🏆 The best tropical fruit tree for container growing, and the fastest to fruit:Annona.
🍏 Annonas (Annona sp) are very much loved tropical fruit. The fruit has smooth, creamy flesh, just like a natural custard - hence one of the common names - "Custard Apple". Growing an Annona tree is a rewarding experience, its a small compact tree that will let you enjoy its creamy and exotic fruit right away.
The best tropical tree suited for container growing, due to its small height. It can be maintained within 6-8 ft tall.
The fastest fruiting tree: 2-3-4 years from seed to fruit, depending on species.
Most species are deciduous: drop leaves during winter-spring.
Thrives in frost-free climate. Some species are cold hardier than others. Container culture is a good way to cold protect these beautiful small trees.
❤️ 6 top most popular Annonas:
▪️ Rollinia (Rollinia deliciosa) - the biggest Annona fruit and the most showy
▪️ Sugar Apple (Annona squamosa) - the most popular
▪️ Guanabana (Annona muricata) - the most cold sensitive but the fruit is so tasty!
▪️ Pineapple Annona Golden (Annona costaricana) - cold hardy and easy to grow
▪️ Custard Apple (Annona reticulata) - with red flesh