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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
nashi-pear-hosui-1
Nashi 'Hosui'

Nashi Pear 'Hosui' is a popular deciduous fruit tree that produces large, juicy pears with crisp, sweet flesh and a refreshing flavour. It crops...

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-santa-rosa-5
Plum Santa Rosa

The 'Santa Rosa' Plum is a popular deciduous fruit tree renowned for its attractive spring blossom and heavy crops of juicy, sweet flavoured plums...

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
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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
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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
apricot-garden-annie-
Apricot 'Garden Annie'

Apricot 'Garden Annie' is a compact apricot tree prized for its sweet juicy fruit and attractive spring blossom display. This deciduous fruit tree is...

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

Feijoa 'Anatoki' is an early-season feijoa variety known for its reliable crops and flavourful, aromatic fruit. It’s a vigorous grower with dense...

From$35.81
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
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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
Apricot 'Clutha Gold' orange fruit.
Apricot 'Clutha Gold'

Apricot 'Clutha Gold' produces orange fruit with a slight red blush in summer. The large-sized fruit is firm with an intense flavour. This deciduous...

From$404.59
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
apples-fuji-
Apple 'Fuji'

'Fuji' Apple is a world renowned apple variety prized for its exceptionally sweet flavour, crisp texture, and excellent storage qualities. The...

From$425.89
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
quince-smyrna-4
Quince 'Smyrna'

'Smyrna' Quince is a popular heritage quince variety that produces large fragrant golden fruit with outstanding flavour for cooking, preserving, and...

From$270.40
Golden Queen' peach fruit.
Peach 'Golden Queen'

The ‘Golden Queen’ peach is a classic New Zealand variety prized for its firm, yellow-fleshed fruit with rich, tangy flavour. Ideal for bottling...

From$404.59
'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$425.89
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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
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Apple 'Wandin Glory'

Apple 'Wandin Glory' is a productive dessert apple grown for its crisp, juicy fruit with a well balanced sweet flavour. The attractive apples ripen...

From$425.89
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
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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
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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
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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
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
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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
Persimmon Fuyu

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

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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

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