Edibles

The Dwarf Granny Smith Apple produces a medium to large round fruit with a tart-tangy flavour, bright green skin and crisp white flesh. Depending on your tastes, it is arguably one of the best apples for eating, and a good cooking apple because of its ability to retain flavour. The tree is a visual treat with a profusion of pink-white flowers in mid-spring. The blossoms are draped in clusters along the branches and are a magical sight to behold. As a bonus to the sumptuous display, the flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Granny Smith requires another apple variety close by for pollination. Suitable pollinators include Red Delicious, Gala and Pink Lady.

Soil: Grows in a variety of soils, and prefers heavy loams.
Conditions: Prefers full sun to part shade. Frost tolerant. Cold tolerant to -35C.
Size: Height 3m x width 2-3m

The Malus domestica Gala Apple is a sweet and juicy addition to the orchard. Bright red and yellow colouration, crunch, flavour and good cropping. With good-size fruit, firm juicy flesh and excellent flavour, Gala is a popular choice for the lunchbox. Pair it up with another apple for pollination and you'll have Galas galore. The following varieties work well with Gala - Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Red Delicious, and Red Fuji.

Soil: Well-drained and well-worked soil.
Conditions: Sunny position. This variety is great for cool climate areas.
Size: Height 4-5m x width 4-5m

Acmena Cherry Black is a glorious, fast-growing, evergreen lilly pilly displaying a beautiful contrast of deep cherry red/purple new growth with the dark green older foliage. Clusters of small white blossoms bloom in spring and summer, followed by edible mauve-coloured fruit. The fruits are bird-attracting; providing food for the native animals, and are edible for humans. These berries make a great garden snack, a salad topper, drink topper, or can be made into jams and chutneys. Perfect as a dense screen or hedge, Lilly Pilly Cherry Black responds well to light pruning and tolerates most conditions.

Soil: Well-drained soil with added enrichment. Mulch well after planting and water well in dry weather.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Drought, cold, frost and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 3m x width 2m

The Trixzie White Cherree Miniature Cherry features light pink flesh that is firm and deliciously juicy. These vibrant trees have gorgeous white blossoms in spring that give way to round/ heart-shaped, blush-coloured cherries ready for picking in summer. The self-fertile, miniature variety has been developed for the smaller garden and is perfect for pots, patios and courtyards. Like all produce plants, correct pruning, regular fertilising and watering will result in an abundance of fruit. Trixzie will require annual pruning in winter, as this will encourage a stronger branching framework, airflow through the canopy and better fruit quality.

Soil: Well-fertilised soil.
Conditions: Full sun. Frost tolerant.
Size: Height 2.5m x width 1-1.5m

Ficus carica Brown Turkey Fig is a small deciduous tree with bold, deeply lobed leaves and insignificant flowers followed by edible fruit. The fruit is purple-brown with sweet, pale pink flesh - perfect for eating fresh, drying or preserving in jams. The tree is an attractive addition to any garden as mature trees displays silvery-gray bark and interesting gnarled silhouettes. As an added bonus, Brown Turkey care is negligible and the plants can be trained to single or multi-stemmed plants, adding beauty and shade to the garden

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Frost tolerant.
Size: Height 6m x width 6m

Citrus Navelina commonly known as the Navelina Orange tree, is famous for its delightful taste and seedlessness. Its medium-sized, round to slightly oval fruits boast a smooth, vibrant orange peel and glossy green foliage. Beyond its delectable fruit, it enhances gardens with fragrant white blossoms during spring. The tree bears fruit early in the season, typically during late autumn or early winter, infusing landscapes with vibrant colours and flavours. Grow it as a feature tree in Mediterranean style gardens, espaliered along a wall or plant it in large containers or pots in a courtyard or balcony setting. It’s the most popular orange for juicing, high in vitamin C and delicious enough to be eaten straight from the tree.

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun. Frost tender.
Size: Height 2-3m x width 1-2m

A dwarf Imperial Mandarin is a robust, evergreen tree that gives a vigorous amount of mandarins that ripen from June to July. It produces fragrant creamy-white flowers followed by medium-sized orange fruit. The skin is easy to peel, and the flesh is very juicy and with very few seeds. The dwarf variety is ideal to grow in tubs, espaliered, courtyards or balcony areas if placed in a warm sunny position.

Soil: Well-drained soil
Conditions: Full sun. Protect from strong winds during flowering or while the fruit is forming. Frost, humidity and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 2m x width 2m

Citrus limon Lemonicious grows well in a large pot and produces masses of full-sized juicy fruit. Growing into an attractive small tree, Lemonicious produces fragrant creamy white flowers with a strong citrus fragrance and the attractive large green leaves exude a citrus fragrance when crushed. If growing in a pots ensure a good quality potting mix is used and the plant does not endure dry periods during the warmer months as the quality of the fruit will be affected. Fertilise regularly using a citrus fertiliser, following the manufacturers recommendations.

Soil: Well-drained soil. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Conditions: Sunny position. Frost and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 1.5m x width 1m