Apart from the absolute joy of picking fresh fruit from your own backyard, fruit trees bring other benefits to your landscape:

• They contribute to a healthy ecosystem, producing fresh oxygen and cleaner air
• Honey bees are attracted to the nectar in the blossoms
• Their blossoms add exceptional beauty and wonderful fragrances during the spring season
• The shapes and sizes of fruit trees create versatility in your landscape
• They provide an abundant food source for your family
• They are a source of shade on a sunny day
• Overall, they increase the value of your home

Growing fruit trees do not require you to plant an entire orchard. Depending on your outdoor space, you can choose one or two trees, or several varieties. We can tell you how much space an individual tree or vine requires and how much maintenance is required to care for them. You can choose to have a selection around your home. When you drop by the nursery, our friendly staff are happy to point out which trees will give you the best value and will last the longest.

Fruit Trees We Recommend For The Ennis, Texas Climate 

Certain fruit trees are hardy enough to do well throughout the seasonal changes we experience in this part of Texas. Others can be maintained by growing them in containers and moving them inside for the winter. Each fruit tree comes in up to dozens of varieties and we can help you determine which ones are most suitable for your yard.

Traditional Fruit Trees 

• Peach Trees - These trees like to soak up the sun all day, so should be planted in open areas of your yard. They do not need a lot of maintenance, but must be planted where the soil is well-drained. They prefer deep sandy soil ranging from loam to clay loam.
• Pear Trees - Pear trees prefer full sun and good air circulation, so do well with lots of open space where they can receive the breeze. They prefer well-drained fertile soil.
• Apple Trees - These trees need cross-pollination and produce fruit when there is another apple tree nearby, even of a different variety. For cross-pollination to occur, the trees must blossom at the same time. They can grow in various types of soil, from medium-textured clay to gravelly sand.
• Plum Trees - Many species of plum trees need another tree nearby for pollination, although some are self-pollinating. They like loamy, well-drained soil, with minimal clay. They need 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day, preferably where they can be out of the wind during the winter.
• Fig Trees - These trees love hot climates and can even do well where there are colder winters, provided they are somewhat sheltered from the wind. They prefer well-drained soil rich with organic materials. They like to spread out, so need at least 20 feet to grow.
• Apricot Trees - Since they are self-fruiting, you only need to plant one apricot tree to get an abundant fruit harvest. Plant them where they will have protection from frost. They thrive in composted soil that is moisture-retentive with sufficient drainage.
• Nectarine Trees - These trees are self-fruiting but produce more fruit when there are other nectarine trees close by. They need full sun and require protection from frost and wind. They do well in composted soil as long as it has good drainage.

Citrus Trees in Containers 

• Lemon Trees - Place the container in the full sun in the warmer months. Plant in pots with good drainage but keep the soil moist. They also need high humidity, so give them regular misting. They are vulnerable to cold, especially when in a container, so bring them inside before the first frost.
• Lime Trees - In the ground, lime trees, like other citrus trees can take mild cold and frost, but they are totally vulnerable when planted in containers. They must be kept inside whenever there is a chance of a temperature drop. They like lots of sunlight and moist, well-draining soil.
• Orange Trees - In the Ennis, Texas areas, orange trees are usually planted in pots and brought inside or covered for the winter. It is the surest way to protect them from the cold. They grow well in a light potting soil mix with good drainage.

Fruit-Bearing Bushes And Vines 

Technically, berry bushes and vines are not considered trees, but they are worth mentioning since they are an important part of an "edible" landscape.

• Grapes - These woody, perennial vines need plenty of full sun for the fruit to ripen, and about 6 feet of space to spread out. They need a structure to grow on, such as a fence or arbor. They will grow in almost any soil, but do best in a sandy loam with good drainage.
• Blueberries - Blueberry bushes grow best in areas that get at least a half-day of direct sunlight, with no weeds. They need regular moisture but with good drainage. The most successful berry production happens when the soil pH is matched to the plant.
• Blackberries - This is one of the easiest fruits to grow, with bushes or trailing canes that produce abundantly. Some varieties need to be trellised for support. They need full sun and do best in composted soil with good drainage.

Managing Successful Fruit Trees 

Fruit trees are a gardening investment that will reward you for years to come, but they are also susceptible to a host of problems if they are left to their own devices. At our gardening center, we can provide you with solutions and advice to protect your fruit trees from problems, such as insect infestation, fungus, diseases, and growth of suckers.

We invite you to visit the nursery to view our wide selection of fruit trees perfect for the Ennis, TX growing conditions. We will also be happy to show you our organic gardening products for maintaining an environmentally friendly, "edible" landscape. Contact us today with your questions!