Citrus

An evergreen tree with deep-green, rounded foliage and thorny stems, the D'Emerald finger lime is a cultivar in the Citrus Gems range - grafted to make the plants hardier. White flowers appear in summer, followed by aromatic, finger-shaped black fruits. D'Emerald will begin to ripen - but not fully - on the tree. Once picked, leave the fruit for five to ten days to completely ripen to produce bright, emerald green pearls of tangy juice. D'Emerald has a dense and bushy habit, making it perfect for creating hedges or screens in the garden. Please note: finger lime trees will begin to produce fruit from the second autumn of planting.

Soil: Plant in composted, well-draining soil. Mulch in spring and keep the soil moist in summer.
Conditions: Will perform best in a warm sheltered spot in full sun. Tolerant of frost and dry conditions.
Size: Height 3m x width 1.5-2m

Ruby Grapefruit is a highly productive citrus variety prized for its medium-sized, virtually seedless fruit with smooth, thin skin and rich crimson-red flesh. Exceptionally juicy with a refreshing sweet-tart flavour, the fruit develops even greater sweetness when left to ripen on the tree. An easy-care, long-lived tree, Ruby Grapefruit is an excellent addition to the home orchard. Mature trees can produce more than 90 kilograms of fruit each season, providing an abundant harvest for fresh eating, juicing, and cooking.

Soil: Well-drained soil.

Conditions: Full sun. For the best growth and fruit production, plant in a sunny position that receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Light frost tolerance.

Size: Height 0.9-1.3m x width 1m

Lemon Pinky is one of the most eye-catching citrus trees you can grow, combining spectacular variegated foliage with unique striped fruit and stunning rosy pink flesh. Originally discovered as a spontaneous branch mutation on an Eureka Lemon tree in Burbank, California, in 1931, this remarkable variety has become highly sought after by gardeners and food lovers alike. The fruit is as beautiful as it is delicious, with green and yellow striped skin that ripens to reveal juicy, blush-pink flesh inside. Slightly sweeter and less tart than a traditional Eureka Lemon, Lemon Pinky produces fragrant, almost seedless fruit with a refreshing citrus flavour and delicate floral aroma. Perfect for fresh juices, desserts, cocktails, seafood dishes or simply as a colourful garnish, it adds a touch of elegance to any recipe. Naturally handsome and compact, it makes a stunning feature tree in garden beds, courtyards or large pots where its colourful foliage and unusual fruit can be admired up close.

Soil: Well-drained soil.

Conditions: Full sun. Frost tender

Size: Height 3-4m x width 3m

Calamansi Citrus is a highly ornamental citrus tree that produces masses of small, vibrant orange fruit bursting with tangy flavour and vitamin C. A favourite throughout the Philippines and Southeast Asia, Calamansi is treasured for its incredible versatility in the kitchen as well as its year-round ornamental appeal. Glossy deep green foliage provides the perfect backdrop to clusters of fragrant white blossoms, which are followed by abundant crops of bright orange fruit that typically begin appearing from around three years of age. The small fruits have a distinctive sweet-tart flavour and can be enjoyed fresh, juiced into refreshing drinks, or used to enhance marinades, sauces, desserts and savoury dishes. For a unique treat, try lightly frying the whole fruit, skin and all, in coconut oil to create a fragrant accompaniment to curries.  As a heavy feeder, regular applications of a quality citrus fertiliser or Dynamic Lifter up to four times a year will encourage healthy growth and generous harvests. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins to maintain a neat shape and promote vigorous branching.

Soil: Well-drained soil.

Conditions: Full sun. Frost tender

Size: Height 3-6m x width 3-4m

Pipsqueak Dwarf Tahitian Lime is a compact, highly productive citrus that produces an abundance of medium-sized, juicy limes from late winter through early spring. Grafted onto Flying Dragon rootstock, this naturally dwarf variety delivers full-sized fruit on a tree perfectly suited to smaller gardens, courtyards and large containers. The attractive tree forms a neat, bushy habit with glossy evergreen foliage and fragrant white blossoms, making it a beautiful ornamental feature as well as a productive fruit tree. In warmer climates, the fruit is harvested while the skin is green, while in cooler regions the limes naturally develop a golden-yellow skin as they fully ripen. Regardless of skin colour, the flesh remains vibrant lime green, juicy and full of refreshing flavour. Its tangy, seedless fruit is perfect for drinks, desserts, marinades, seafood, Asian cuisine and everyday cooking.

Soil: Well-drained soil.

Conditions: Full sun. Drought, frost and coastal tolerant.

Size: Height 1.5-2m x width 1m

Dwarf Lemonade Lemon is a unique and highly productive citrus that combines the appearance of a traditional lemon with an unexpectedly sweet, refreshing flavour. Grafted onto dwarfing rootstock, this compact evergreen tree is perfect for smaller gardens, courtyards and large pots, producing an abundance of medium-sized yellow fruit throughout the year. Unlike ordinary lemons, the fruit can be enjoyed straight from the tree. Easy to peel and segment, the juicy greenish-yellow flesh has very few seeds and a distinctive lemonade-like flavour that becomes even sweeter the longer the fruit is left to ripen on the tree. Rich in vitamin C, it is equally delicious eaten fresh, juiced into refreshing drinks or used in cooking, baking and garnishes. Easy to grow and exceptionally rewarding, Dwarf Lemonade Lemon is an outstanding choice for home gardeners wanting a compact citrus that delivers year-round beauty and a generous harvest of sweet, versatile fruit.

Soil: Well-drained soil.

Conditions: Full sun. Drought, frost and coastal hardy.

Size: Height 1.5-2m x width 1m

Pipsqueak Dwarf Navelina Orange is a compact, grafted citrus that produces full-sized, deliciously sweet navel oranges on a tree perfect for smaller gardens, courtyards and pots. An early-season navel orange, Pipsqueak begins ripening from around May, providing an abundance of juicy, seedless fruit with a rich, sweet flavour. The easy-to-peel skin and distinctive "belly button" make these oranges perfect for fresh eating, while their excellent flavour also makes them ideal for juicing, desserts and cooking. The attractive tree develops a neat, bushy habit with glossy evergreen foliage, fragrant white blossoms in spring and vibrant orange fruit that adds colour and interest to the garden. For an extended citrus season, plant Pipsqueak alongside later-ripening orange varieties, allowing you to enjoy fresh homegrown oranges over many months. Easy to grow and highly productive, this compact citrus is a wonderful addition to any home orchard, patio or balcony.

Soil: Well-drained soil.

Conditions: Full sun. Frost hardy

Size: Height 1.5-2m x width 1m