A Meyer lemon tree in the kitchen, a kaffir lime tree on the terrace, a blood orange tree on either side of the front door. If ever a plant evolved for living out its life in a pot, surely it's a citrus tree. Especially these. All Bay Flora citrus trees are grafted onto dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstock that makes pot culture a snap. Not only do grafted citrus trees bloom and bear fruit at an earlier age than seedlings or cuttings, they also have greater frost resistance. And of the hundreds of citrus tree cultivars, we bring you the most useful, the most beautiful and the easiest to grow. Of course, citrus trees are garden mainstays in Zones 9-10 in the ground, but even in favored climates there's something about a citrus tree in a perfect pot that gives a garden a zing few other shrubs can match. The photo at left shows what citrus can do for a garden, although Villa Castello in Florence may have a headstart on the typical suburban spread. Bay Flora citrus trees are pesticide-free. Some varieties are grown on semi-dwarfing rootstock in 4" x 9" containers. Older trees are grown on dwarfing rootstock in 5 gallon pots. Please read individual descriptions below. All the citrus trees can be grown indoors, but they appreciate spending the summer months outside. Meyer lemon, kaffir lime, Bearss lime, Calamondin, kumquat and Trovita orange trees are the easiest citrus trees to grow indoors year-round, although they'll need an appropriate spot that gives them full sun and protection from heating and cooling vents. Citrus trees indoors also require ample humidity. The semi-dwarf trees will need to be repotted into a larger container or planted in the ground within a few months. Make sure to provide excellent drainage. Perlite helps lighten soil mix and helps prevent damage from over-watering (the main culprit in citrus tree death). Protect newly planted trees from hot sun. Expect flowering and fruit within a year for these semi-dwarf citrus trees. Citrus trees can be grown outdoors year-round in Zones 9-10, where dwarf citrus can reach 8' x 8' and semi-dwarf citrus will grow to about 15' x 12.' Citrus grown in pots will be smaller, depending on pot size. Protect from frosts. Full sun and good drainage required for good results. Orders received by Fridays 5 pm PDT will be shipped the following Monday. Shipping charges: 25% for CA, 30% for OR and WA, 40% for rest of continental U.S. Most photographs courtesy of UC Riverside Citrus Variety Collection, home to the largest collection of citrus on the planet. *VERY IMPORTANT: NO SHIPPING TO AK, AZ, FL,HI and TX.* |
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| Yuzu Tree 5 Gal Citrus ichangensis x Citrus reticulata. Yuzu trees, upright up to about 10' on dwarfing stock, are the only citrus trees that can survive temperatures down to about 20 degrees. A necessary ingredient in many Asian dishes, the Yuzu fruit won't win any beauty contests, but its flavor and fragrance have no peer. Yuzu juice is used to make ponzu, the deeply fragrant rind is grated onto many dishes, and the fruit is plopped into a hot bath during the winter solstice. Fruit ripens during the fall and watch out for vicious thorns while harvesting. Grown on dwarfing rootstock in 5 gal containers. No flowers or fruit but plants nicely developed as of April 2013. Shipped in 3' x 1' x 1' braced boxes. | |
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| Key Lime Tree 5 Gal Citrus aurantifolia. Also known as the Mexican lime, this small round lime packs a wallop of fragrance and flavor within its thin skin. Famous for its contribution to key lime pies as well as margaritas, daiquiris and mojitos, the Mexican lime also has the most pungent leaves of any citrus. Rub a leaf on your pillowcase and be immersed in a cloud of tropical fragrance at bedtime. Ripens generally October to December and falls from the tree when ready to harvest. Tree is bushy and grows to about 6' in a pot, more in the ground. Will not tolerate freezing temperatures. About 2'tall above rootball and flowering as of late March 2013. Grown on dwarfing rootstock in 5 gal containers. Shipped in 3' x 1' x 1' braced boxes. | |
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| Washington Navel Orange Tree Semi-Dwarf Citrus sinensis. If you're after the classic seedless orange with its bright flavor, look no further. Also known as the Bahia orange for the Brazil town where it was found in the 19th century, the Washington navel tree is a moderate grower to about 15' with a rounded canopy. You'll have oranges for your breakfast table from November through February. Grown in 4" x 9" pots, plants are branching and 3+ feet tall. TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK. | |
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| 'Bouquet de Fleurs' Sour Orange Tree 5 Gal Citrus aurantium 'Bouquet de Fleurs.' If you’ve ever walked along the narrow streets of Seville and admired the shiny green shrubs covered with small orange fruit, you know the allure of the sour orange. The most ornamental of all the sour oranges, ‘Bouquet de Fleurs’ has rounded, glossy leaves and waxy white flowers that are used in the manufacture of neroli oil, a component of classic perfumes. The peel flavors liqueurs such as Grand Marnier and Cointreau, and the high-pectin fruit is the basis for classic marmalade. Perfect for pot culture, sour oranges become 6’ x 6’ shrubs that will flower in spring and fall. Fruit dangles on the shrub throughout the year. As of May 2013 these trees are very well-developed, 3' tall and full. Shipped in 5 gal containers in 3' x 1' x 1' braced boxes. ONE PER CUSTOMER, PLEASE. | |
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| 'Bouquet de Fleurs' Sour Orange Tree Semi-Dwarf Citrus aurantium 'Bouquet de Fleurs.' The semidwarf version of the variety shown above. This crop of trees has been pruned as of January 2013 and is about 3' tall. Grown in 4" x 9" pots. | |
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| Buddha's Hand Citron Tree 5 Gal Citrus medica var. sarcodactylus. Buddha's Hand citron is a really fun plant to grow. The long and shiny leaves, with tiny serrations, have a rumpled but distinguished air, with a beautiful purple flush on new growth (and young fruit). The tree is shrubby and open in growth, to about 6' tall. Grow outdoors during warm weather and bring indoors during winter months because citrons can't take freezing temperatures. The crowning glory is the winter fruit, which really does look like the hands of Buddha posed just so in Tang Dynasty statues. Fruit has no pulp or juice--its claim to fame is its peel, which is loaded with fragrant oils. The pith, unlike other citrus, is not bitter, so no worries about separating it from the peel. Considered the most propitious of fruit in many Asian cultures. Showcase a Buddha's Hand on your dining room table and your entire house will fill with a clean citrus fragrance overlaid with jasmine. Use the peel to make candied citron, zest it onto fish or salads or citrus curds, or flavor alcohol with it. If you don't want to make your own, then buy some Buddha's Hand vodka from the Bay Area distiller Hangar One. Plants are grafted onto dwarfing rootstock and are about 2' above soil line in 5 gal containers, on the small side as of March 2013, no fruit or flowers. Shipped in 36" x 12" x 12" boxes, with wooden bracing. OUT OF STOCK UNTIL SUMMER 2013. | |
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| Buddha's Hand Citron Tree Semi-Dwarf Citrus medica var. sarcodactylus. Same wonderful qualities as the Buddha's Hand in 5 gal containers, but grown on semi-dwarfing rootstock. Solid main stem, some branching, about 2' tall. Grown in 4" x 9" containers. TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK. | |
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| Kara Mandarin Tree 5 Gal Citrus reticulata x. The Kara mandarin is a cross between the Owari Satsuma mandarin and the King tangerine. It's a little more frost-sensitive than the Owari, but the plant is more vigorous and upright, and the fruit is larger. Blooms in spring and fruit ripens the following spring. Needs a little more heat than the Owari satsuma. Rich flavor to this easy to peel mandarin orange. Grown on dwarfing rootstock in 5 gal containers, current crop of trees is small, about 2' tall, blooming. Shipped in braced 3' x 1' x 1' boxes. | |
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| Improved Meyer Lemon Tree Semi-Dwarf Citrus x meyeri. This Meyer lemon is grown on semi-dwarfing rootstock and produces a more vigorous plant than the dwarf Meyer lemon. In the ground it will grow to about 12', as opposed to 8' for dwarf citrus. In a pot you can keep this semi-dwarf lemon tree the same size as the dwarf Meyer lemon. Equally great for indoor culture. These trees are grown in 4" x 9" containers, so they'll need a pot that's about 8" wide and 12" deep. As of March 2013 these trees are smaller than photo, no flowers or fruit. OUT OF STOCK UNTIL LATE SPRING 2013. | |
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| Improved Meyer Lemon Tree 5 Gal Citrus x meyerii. This older and larger version of our semidwarf Meyer lemon tree has a main trunk that's about one-half inch thick, and stands about 20" above the container. Grown in 5 gal containers on dwarfing rootstock. New crop of trees is smaller than tree in photo, with flower buds and new growth forming as of April 2013. Shipped in braced 36" x 12" x 12" containers. | |
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| Variegated Pink Lemon Citrus limon. Swirls of creamy white marble the lemon-scented leaves of this Eureka sport. New growth is burgundy with pink edging, almost like a variegated fuchsia. Each leaf is unique, with three different shades of green as background for the creamy marbling. Wow! The young fruit also show off stippled creamy stripes over the green rind. The pulp is pink, hence the nickname 'Pink Lemonade.' Like most variegated plants, 'Variegated Pink Lemon' is a little less vigorous than its forebears, so it's grown on semi-dwarfing rootstock to provide more growth in its early years. New crop of trees is smaller than photo, about 2' tall, in 4" x 9" containers. TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK. | |
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| Italian Lemon Tree 5 Gal Citrus limon 'Genoa.' Italians take their lemons seriously. This Italian lemon cultivar was brought to California from Genoa, Italy over a hundred years ago. A little-known yet cherished lemon for most of that time, gardeners around the U.S. are finally able to grow 'Genoa' and experience its merits for themselves. The fruits ripen throughout the year on vigorous shrubs that are less thorny than 'Villa Franca'. Peel, high in lemon oil, is the base for the most divine limoncello you'll ever sip. Juice is perfect for drinks and marinades. Spreading growth to 8' x 6.' More frost sensitive than Meyer lemon. Benefits from spending summer outdoors. As of April 2013 trees are about 3' tall, well-branched, some flowers and flush of new growth. Grown on dwarfing rootstock in 5 gal containers. Shipped in 4' x 1' x 1' boxes. | |
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| Lisbon Lemon Tree 5 Gal Citrus limon. The Lisbon lemon is what you want if you're looking for the lemon found in the grocery store. High-acid fruit develops well without high temperatures and the tree is vigorous in many areas. Blooms and fruits throughout the year, but main crop of fruit occurs in winter and early spring. Frost-sensitive and not suitable for indoor culture unless you have a conservatory. Grown on dwarfing rootstock in 5 gal containers. Shipped in 3' x 1' x 1' braced containers. | |
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| Eureka Lemon Tree Semi-Dwarf Citrus limon. Similar to the Lisbon lemon above, Eureka has fewer thorns. It tends to bear more fruit throughout the year on bushes that are vigorous yet easy to train and bear fewer thorns than many citrus varieties. A classic high-acid, flavorful lemon. Grown on semi-dwarfing rootstock in 4" x 9" pots, trees are about 3' tall with branching as of March 2013. OUT OF STOCK UNTIL SUMMER 2013. | |
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| Owari Satsuma Mandarin Tree 5 Gal Citrus reticulata subsp. unshiu. The Owari satsuma is more cold-hardy than other citrus, with established trees surviving temperatures of 15 degrees. Owari satsumas are also slower growing than other mandarins, so they do very well on semi-dwarfing rootstock. The low, spreading growth habit of this citrus tree is charming, with slightly drooping leaves. And there's nothing more exciting in the gardening world than picking your very own mandarin orange, peeling the loose skin and enjoying the fruits of your labor. Fruit ripens in late fall through early winter. Trees are small as of March 2013, about 20" tall and 1/2" caliper trunk, not full yet but new growth is starting. | |
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| Gold Nugget Mandarin Tree 5 Gal Citrus reticulata. Gold Nugget mandarin bears after Owari satsuma, extending the tangerine season through June. And it extends the season with a bang. Gold Nugget is marvelously flavorful and sweet, usually seedless, and easy to peel. Tree is more upright and vigorous than Owari, but shares the same cold hardiness, down to about 25 degrees F. Most recent introduction by UC Riverside in many years. Grown on dwarfing rootstock in 5 gal containers. New crop of trees is small but new growth developing, no fruit or flowers. Shipped in 3' x 1' x 1' braced containers. TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK. | |
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| Fukushu Kumquat Tree 5 Gal Fortunella obovata. Oh my. The Fukushu kumquat, also known as Changshou, is our new favorite citrus fruit by far. The round 2" fruit packs a punch without puckering the mouth and the intense citrus flavor from one Fukushu kumquat will carry you through the day. It's perfect for eating on its own, slicing into fish or poultry dishes, and sprinkling over salads. We will choose the Fukishu kumquat over chocolate truffles any day. The tree is highly ornamental to boot, with its unique rounded leaves and spreading, thornless form. Flowers in summer and fruits in winter. As of March 2013 the trees are nicely developed, about 2.5' tall, a few fruit. Grown on dwarfing rootstock in 5 gal containers. | |
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| 'Nagami' Kumquat Tree 5 Gal Fortunella margarita 'Nagami.' Of all the citrus trees, the kumquat may be the most decorative and suitable for pot culture. It's also fairly cold-hardy relative to other citrus, since it is semi-dormant in winter. Kumquats flower in the summer, and you need only a few to appreciate the fragrance. Its oval leaves are dark green and the olive-shaped fruit that appear in winter and ripen throughout the spring are a bright orange when ready to eat. In fact, the name kumquat is derived from the Cantonese word for golden orange. Fruit lasts a long time on the tree, usually until June. Kumquats are eaten whole, since the peel is the sweetest part of the fruit. The contrast between the sweet peel and the sour pulp is a mouth-watering experience. Thin slices of kumquat make any salad special. Or fruit punch, or iced tea, or grilled fish, or...you get the idea. Current crop of trees has a few small fruits forming. Feed with a citrus food that contains zinc, because this cultivar can become deficient in that nutrient. Grown on dwarfing rootstock in 5 gal containers. Well-developed trees, about 2.5' tall and well-branched. | |
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| 'Meiwa' Kumquat Tree Semi-Dwarf Fortunella margarita 'Meiwa.' Like all kumquats, 'Meiwa' benefits from warm temperatures during fruit development in early spring. Heat helps develop the flavor of the fruit. 'Meiwa' differs from 'Nagami' in the shape of the fruit, which is rounder and slightly larger. The rind is also thicker, which results in a sweeter taste. Slightly more cold sensitive than 'Nagami.' These trees are grown on semidwarfing rootstock, so they'll grow faster than their brethren on dwarfing rootstock. New crop of trees, small, about 2' tall, no branching yet. Grown in 4" x 9" pots. TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK. | |
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| 'Meiwa' Kumquat 5 Gal Fortunella margarita 'Meiwa.' These kumquat trees are the devil to propagate, but well worth the trouble, with their thick sweet skin and counterpunch acidity to the pulp. Trees are larger than photo as of February 2013 and fruiting. Grown on dwarfing rootstock in 5 gal containers. Shipped in 3'x 1'x 1' braced boxes. | |
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| Kaffir Lime Tree Semi-Dwarf Citrus hystrix. A heftier version of the one year dwarf Kaffir lime, this tree is grown on semi-dwarfing rootstock in 4" x 9" pots. You can prune the top of the tree to harvest leaves, and new growth will develop below the cut. A new crop of trees as of March 2013, about 2' tall, not much branching yet. | |
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| Kaffir Lime Tree 5 Gal Citrus hystrix. If you don't want to wait for the 1 year trees to grow, then here's your chance to have a year's supply of kaffir lime leaves fresh off the tree. About 2' tall, with one-half inch trunk. Smaller than photo as of March 2013. Grown in 5 gal pots on dwarfing rootstock and shipped in braced 3' x 1' x 1' containers. | |
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| Bearss Seedless Lime Tree Semi-Dwarf Citrus latifolia. Bearss seedless lime tree originated in the Porterville, California citrus tree grove of T.J. Bearss in 1895. The classic lime for cooking and bartending, Bearss limes ripen even in cooler coastal areas. This citrus tree is a fast grower with fruit ripening in the fall. Its leaves are especially good for coating with melted chocolate (use the underside of the leaf). After the chocolate sets, pull off the leaf to reveal a chocolate twin with a tantalizing hint of citrus. Perfect for decorating cakes and lemon curds. One of the easier citrus trees to grow in pots outdoors if you're willing to bring the pot indoors when temperatures drop below freezing. Shipped in 4" x 9" pots, trees are about 3' tall, some branching. One of the more vigorous citrus trees, especially when grown on semi-dwarfing rootstock such as these. | |
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| Bearss Seedless Lime Tree 5 Gal Citrus latifolia. If you can't wait for a smaller Bearss lime tree to get to fruiting size, then this 5 gal lime tree is for you. Blooms in spring, fruits in fall. Vigorous grower. Grown on dwarfing rootstock in 5 gal containers. As of March 2013, trees are smaller than photo, no fruit or flowers yet. Shipped in 3' x 1' x 1' braced containers. | |
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| Calamondin Tree 5 Gal Citrus x Citrofortunella mitis. Like teenagers, Calamondin trees may go through a difficult period in their early years and can sulk for no apparent reason. If you'd like to avoid such challenges, then try an established tree like our 5 gal specimens. The fragrance of these flowers is truly intoxicating. The trees are beautifully developed as of March 2013, larger than photo, and fruiting. Grown on dwarfing rootstock. Shipped in 4' x 1' x 1' braced boxes. | |
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| Moro Blood Orange Tree Semi-Dwarf Citrus sinensis. For a Moro blood orange tree to ripen properly, plant it in front of a stone wall. The retained heat will help the blood orange fruit ripen in early spring. Moro blood orange trees definitely need to be planted in a lot of sun to develop the sugars that make their fruit so appealing in salads and so rich in color. The tart juice has a fresh raspberry flavor. An amazing public garden south of San Francisco, Filoli, grew this citrus tree to perfection on a decomposed granite terrace. The space was a long rectangle, with weeping Camperdown elms at each end. Five blood orange trees were grown in terra cotta pots around each weeping elm, forming a double pentangle. Sublime. Shipped in 4" x 9" pots, trees are about 3' tall with nice branching. TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK. | |
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| Moro Blood Orange Tree 5 Gal Citrus sinensis. As of January 2013, the Moros are larger than photo, fully branched and bushy, about 2' tall. Grown on dwarfing rootstock. Shipped in 3' x 1' x 1' braced containers. OUT OF STOCK UNTIL LATE SPRING 2013. | |
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| Trovita Sweet Orange Tree Semi-Dwarf Citrus sinensis. A chance seedling of the Washington navel orange, the Trovita orange is juicier and sweeter than its parent. It lacks the juvenile segment that produces a navel. Fruit is smaller than parent and may have a few seeds. The Trovita ripens in spring. Since it also blooms in spring, you may have blooms and fruit at the same time, as in photo. This is the only orange that is suitable for indoor culture, since it will develop a sweet flavor without a lot of heat. About 2.5' tall. Grown in 4" x 9" pots on semidwarf rootstock. TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK. | |
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| Trovita Sweet Orange Tree 5 Gal Citrus sinensis. Get a jump start on those sweet Trovita oranges with a 5 gal specimen. Well-developed trees, about 2.5' tall,sturdy main caliper about 5/8" thick, about size of photo and setting flower buds as of April 2013. Grown on dwarfing rootstock. Shipped in 3' x 1' x 1' boxes. | |
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