Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

best fruit trees for cold climates

Growing fruit trees in cooler regions of New Zealand may seem challenging, but with the right choices, you can enjoy a lush, productive orchard that withstands frosty winters and late spring chills. Selecting the best fruit trees for cold climates means favouring varieties that are hardy, resilient, and able to produce delicious fruit even after a cold snap. Whether you are establishing a new garden or looking to expand your harvest, there's a range of exceptional trees that thrive where temperatures dip.

Persimmon 'Fuyu' orange fruit on a table.

Persimmon Fuyu

Persimmon 'Fuyu' is a highly prized deciduous fruit tree that produces crisp, sweet, non astringent fruit with outstanding flavour. Spectacular autumn foliage adds brilliant seasonal colour before the fruit matures, making this tree both ornamental and productive.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Fruit Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden uses: Living areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
nashi-pear-nijisseiki-

Nashi 'Nijisseiki'

Nashi Pear 'Nijisseiki' is a classic deciduous fruit tree that produces round, crisp, juicy pears with smooth golden green skin and a refreshing sweet flavour. It is renowned for its reliable cropping and excellent eating quality, making it a superb choice for home orchards and edible gardens throughout New Zealand.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Fruit Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 5.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden uses: Living areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
pear-doyenne-du-comice-semi-dwarf-2
Pear Doyenne du Comice

Pear 'Doyenne du Comice' is a premium deciduous fruit tree renowned for producing exceptionally sweet, juicy pears with outstanding flavour and a...

From$340.69
pear-taylors-gold-semi-dwarf-1
Pear Taylors Gold

Pear 'Taylors Gold' is a premium deciduous fruit tree renowned for producing sweet juicy golden pears with exceptional flavour and texture. A...

From$404.59
plum-omega-1
Plum Omega

'Omega' Plum Tree is a popular fruiting tree valued for its delicious sweet dark red plums and reliable performance in New Zealand gardens. Flowering...

From$404.59
Plum 'Greengage' fruit.
Plum 'Greengage'

The ‘Greengage’ plum tree is a heritage variety prized for its lovely, green-skinned fruit with golden flesh. Renowned for its rich, honeyed flavour...

From$340.69
plum-hawera-
Plum Hawera

The 'Hawera' Plum Tree is a productive deciduous fruit tree grown for its reliable crops of delicious plums and attractive spring blossom. It is well...

From$404.59
fig-brunswick-2
Fig 'Brunswick'

Fig Brunswick is a popular fig variety known for its large, sweet fruit and reliable performance in New Zealand conditions. It produces green to...

From$28.91
cherry-dawson-2
Cherry 'Dawson'

'Dawson' Cherry is a productive sweet cherry tree valued for its attractive blossom, reliable crops, and delicious dark red fruit with rich flavour...

From$425.89
apricot-sundrop-
Apricot Sundrop

Apricot 'Sundrop' is a delicious apricot tree valued for its sweet golden fruit and attractive spring blossom display. This deciduous fruit tree...

From$404.59
Feijoa 'Unique' fruit on a tree.
Feijoa 'Unique'

Feijoa 'Unique' is a self-fertile variety highly regarded in New Zealand for its early fruiting and excellent flavour. It produces medium-sized...

From$35.81
Feijoa Apollo fruit cut in half.
Feijoa 'Apollo'

Feijoa 'Apollo' trees produce tasty, medium-sized fruit in late autumn. This evergreen shrub typically grows to 3 m tall and 2 m wide but can be...

From$35.81
apricot-trevatt-4
Apricot Trevatt

Apricot 'Trevatt' is a popular apricot tree valued for its delicious sweet fruit and attractive spring blossom display. This deciduous fruit tree...

From$404.59
apple-wandin-glory-
Apple Wandin Glory (Wandin Glory Apple)

The Wandin Glory apple tree is an interesting variety of apple that bears medium sized fruit in autumn off weeping branches. The fruit are red-green...

From$425.89
Black Doris' plums.
Plum Black Doris

The 'Black Doris' Plum is a popular variety that produces large and firm, purple-black fruit. The flesh is dark red, sweet, and juicy. White blossoms...

From$340.69
Feijoa Antoinette fruit ready to eat.
Feijoa 'Antoinette'

Feijoa Antoinette produces tasty, medium-sized fruit in autumn. This evergreen shrub typically grows to 3 m tall and the same wide, though it can be...

From$35.81
'Sanguine' Peaches cut in half on a table.
Peach 'Sanguine'

Peach 'Sanguine' is a distinctive heritage peach variety prized for its deep red flesh and rich intense flavour. This deciduous fruit tree performs...

From$404.59
apple-braeburn-
Apple 'Braeburn'

Apple 'Braeburn' is one of New Zealand's most popular apple varieties, renowned for its crisp texture, balanced sweet tart flavour, and excellent...

From$404.59
'Hass' Avocado fruit.
Avocado 'Hass'

Avocado 'Hass' is the world’s most popular avocado variety, prized for its rich, creamy texture and excellent flavour. This evergreen fruit tree is...

From$199.95
Luisa' plum tree covered in yellow fruit.
Plum 'Luisa'

The 'Luisa' Plum is a popular variety that produces good yields of large, yellow-skinned fruit, blushed with red. The flesh is firm, yellow, sweet...

From$404.59
apple-golden-delicious-
Apple Golden Delicious

'Golden Delicious' Apple is a highly popular apple variety renowned for its sweet flavour, crisp texture, and versatility. The attractive golden...

From$404.59
quince-smyrna-4
Quince Smyrna

Smyrna Quince is a popular fruit tree known for its fragrant, aromatic quinces ideal for cooking, jams, and preserves. This hardy tree thrives in New...

From$270.40
plum-billington-
Plum Billington

Billington plum trees produce sweet, juicy fruit that ripens early in the season, making them ideal for New Zealand gardens and orchards. These trees...

From$425.89
apple-liberty-
Apple 'Liberty'

'Liberty' Apple is a popular apple variety renowned for its crisp texture, excellent flavour, and reliable performance in New Zealand gardens. The...

From$404.59
avocado-bacon-
Avocado 'Bacon'

Avocado 'Bacon' is a popular variety known for its smooth green skin, medium sized fruit, and mild, buttery flavour. This evergreen fruit tree is...

From$229.95
olive-verdale-
Olive 'Verdale'

Olive 'Verdale' is a productive olive variety valued for its large fruit, excellent oil quality, and attractive silver green foliage. This evergreen...

From$34.43
olive-rakino-2
Olive 'Rakino'

Olive 'Rakino' is a hardy olive variety valued for its attractive silver green foliage, productive growth, and suitability to New Zealand conditions...

From$34.43
Melia azedarach tree.
Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree, White Cedar) is a graceful deciduous tree valued for its attractive fern like foliage, fragrant clusters of lilac...

From$387.55
olive-leccino-2
Olive 'Leccino'

Olive 'Leccino' is a popular olive variety valued for its reliable fruit production, attractive silver green foliage, and excellent oil quality. This...

From$270.40
magnolia-liliiflora-nigra-1
Magnolia liliiflora Nigra (Magnolia Tree Nigra)

Magnolia liliiflora Nigra, commonly known as Black Lily, is a stunning tree that bears masses of large and showy, purple flowers from late winter...

From$270.40
olive-manzanillo-6
Olive 'Manzanillo'

Olive 'Manzanillo' is a popular olive variety prized for its large flavoursome fruit that is ideal for both table olives and oil production. This...

From$34.43
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu) tree juvenile foliage.
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree)

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...

From$99.29
Persimmon Fuyu

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Apricot, Cherry, and Fig, or related Categories - Apricot Trees, Cherry Trees, and Fig Plants. Alternatively, forage through similar ideas like buy dwarf fruit trees nz, and best fruit trees to grow.

Search Fruit Trees

Why Choose Cold-Hardy Fruit Trees?

Cold-hardy fruit trees are bred or naturally adapted to survive lower temperatures and late frosts without sacrificing flavour or yield. These varieties are essential for gardeners in southern regions or elevated inland locations, ensuring your efforts are rewarded year after year. By choosing from the best fruit trees for cold climates, you’ll enjoy homegrown apples, plums, and more, straight from your backyard, while minimising risk from unpredictable weather.

Top Recommendations for Cold Climates

Apples

Apples are classic cold-hardy fruit trees, with many varieties flourishing through New Zealand’s chillier months. Apple Liberty (Liberty Apple) is a standout for its resistance to disease and ability to set fruit even after a frost. Enjoy crisp, juicy fruit perfect for fresh eating or baking. Another excellent choice is Apple Wandin Glory (Wandin Glory Apple), celebrated for its sweet flavour and reliable harvests, making it a favourite among southern gardeners.

Plums

Plums bring cheerful blossoms in spring and heavy crops in late summer. Plum Omega is a vigorous and reliable option, producing sweet, richly-flavoured fruit well-suited to cooler regions. If you prefer plums with exceptional texture and a classic green hue, consider the Plum 'Greengage', prized for its unique taste and cold toughness.

Olives

Though olives are often associated with Mediterranean climates, certain varieties tolerate colder conditions. The Olive El Greco delivers both beauty and bounty, offering silvery foliage and high-quality fruit in surprisingly chilly areas, especially when sheltered from harsh winds.

Tips for Growing Fruit Trees in Cold Climates

To make the most of the best fruit trees for cold climates, site your trees in a sunny position with good drainage and some wind protection. Mulch well to insulate roots, and select rootstocks suited to your region. Regular pruning and appropriate feeding will keep your trees healthy and productive, even during tough winters.

Start Your Cold-Climate Orchard

Transform your garden with cold-hardy fruit trees that deliver years of harvests, beauty, and satisfaction. Explore our full range of adaptable varieties, including Apple Liberty (Liberty Apple), Plum Omega, and Olive El Greco, and plant for a delicious future—even when the temperature drops.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews