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best fruit trees to grow

Looking to create a productive, beautiful home orchard? Choosing the best fruit trees to grow makes all the difference in your harvest and garden satisfaction. Whether you’re after luscious plums, crisp apples or even olives, your options are plentiful, especially with New Zealand’s mild climate and diverse growing regions. Selecting fruit trees that thrive locally and suit your tastes ensures years of delicious, homegrown produce.

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, it’s perfect for fresh eating, preserves, and desserts. Growing 3–4 metres tall, it performs best in full sun and well-drained soil. This deciduous fruit tree requires another variety of plum, such as 'Black Doris' or 'Luisa', planted nearby to produce good fruit yields. Ideal for home orchards, ‘Greengage’ is a reliable and rewarding addition to any New Zealand garden.

From $340.69

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Fruit Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
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 in spring with attractive white blossoms, it develops flavour packed fruit in late summer. Ideal for home orchards and lifestyle blocks, this variety is productive and easy to grow. It is an excellent choice for gardeners wanting fresh home grown fruit and strong seasonal interest.

From $404.59

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Fruit Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern
apple-liberty-
Apple Liberty (Liberty Apple)

The Liberty Apple tree bears medium sized fruit in autumn that are dark red with flesh that is crisp and firm, sweet, but also slightly tart. These...

From$404.59
apricot-royal-rosa-
Apricot Royal Rosa

Apricot 'Royal Rosa' is a beautiful apricot tree valued for its sweet flavoursome fruit and attractive spring blossom display. This deciduous fruit...

From$404.59
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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 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
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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
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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
fig-mrs-williams-
Fig Mrs Williams

Fig Mrs Williams produces fruit with a purple-brown skin and amber-red flesh. The fruit are of large size and produced early season. It grows as a...

From$28.91
quince-taihape-1
Quince Taihape

Quince 'Taihape' is a robust fruit tree known for its flavorful quinces, perfect for cooking, jams, and preserves. Suited to New Zealand’s climate...

From$270.40
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
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Apple Golden Delicious (Golden Delicious)

The Golden Delicious apple, also known as the Yellow Delicious apple, is a popular variety that bears good sized fruit in autumn. The fruit are...

From$404.59
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Plum Hawera

Hawera plum trees produce sweet, juicy fruit prized for its excellent flavour and reliable yield. Perfect for New Zealand gardens and orchards, these...

From$425.89
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Fig 'French Sugar'

Fig 'French Sugar' is a premium fig variety known for its exceptionally sweet flavour and smooth textured fruit. It performs very well in New Zealand...

From$136.04
'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
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Cherry Dawson

The 'Dawson' Cherry produces large, black coloured fruit in summer. The fruit has red flesh that is sweet with a lovely flavour. It requires another...

From$425.89
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Plum Satsuma

Plum Satsuma produces mid-sized, dark red skinned fruit with red flesh that is sweet and juicy. White blossoms adorn the tree in spring and give rise...

From$404.59
Melia azedarach tree.
Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach, commonly known as Bead Tree, White Cedar or Persian Lilac, is a fast-growing deciduous tree admired for its feathery foliage and...

From$387.55
'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$440.80
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
plum-santa-rosa-5
Plum Santa Rosa

Plum Santa Rosa produces mid-sized, red-purple fruit with yellow-pink flesh that is sweet, juicy, and highly aromatic. White blossoms adorn the tree...

From$404.59
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Apple Braeburn

The Braeburn Apple is a popular variety that bears large fruit towards the end of autumn. The fruit are light green-yellow and red with flesh that is...

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
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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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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$440.80
pear-beurre-bosc-semi-dwarf-3
Pear Beurre Bosc (Beurre Bosc Pear)

The Beurre Bosc Pear tree is grown for its flavoursome, brown skinned fruit which ripen in late summer. These are held amidst the fresh, green...

From$404.59
cherry-compact-stella-
Cherry Compact Stella

'Compact Stella' is a popular cherry variety that produces good yields of large, dark red fruit in early summer. The flesh is light red, soft, and...

From$425.89
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Cherry Lapins

The 'Lapins' Cherry produces consistent yields of large, dark red fruit in summer. The flesh is red, sweet, and juicy. It does not require another...

From$340.69
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
sorbus-scarlet-king-
Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

From$387.55
Plum 'Greengage'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Cherry, Dacrydium, Feijoa, Fig, Magnolia, Melia, Olive, Peach, Pear, Plum Quince and Sorbus, or related Categories - Apple Trees, Apricot Trees, Avocado Trees, Cherry Trees, Feijoa, Fig Plants, Olive Trees, Peach Trees, Pear Trees, Plum Trees, Quince Trees, Deciduous Trees Evergreen Trees and Magnolia Trees.

Search Fruit Trees

Why Grow Your Own Fruit Trees?

Growing your own fruit trees offers endless rewards. Freshly picked fruit tastes far superior to store-bought, and you know exactly what goes into your harvest—no chemicals, just garden goodness. Fruit trees also support pollinators and wildlife, add structure and beauty to your landscape, and can even help reduce your grocery bill. Many varieties are compact enough for small gardens, pots, or espalier against a fence, making home orchard dreams achievable for everyone.

Top Picks: Best Fruit Trees to Grow

Plums

Plums are a Kiwi favourite—they’re robust, reliable and delicious. Two of our best-performing varieties are the Plum Omega and the Plum 'Greengage'. The Plum Omega delivers juicy, dark red fruit and is renowned for its heavy crops and disease resistance. Meanwhile, the Plum 'Greengage' offers heritage flavour, producing sweet, golden-green plums perfect for fresh eating or preserving.

Apples

Apples are among the best fruit trees to grow for Kiwi gardens, thanks to their adaptability and the wide range of flavours. The Apple Liberty (Liberty Apple) is ideal for gardeners wanting a crisp, juicy apple with impressive resistance to diseases like scab and powdery mildew—so you get healthy fruit with less fuss. For classic, rich flavour, the Apple Wandin Glory (Wandin Glory Apple) is another superb choice, providing robust growth and reliable harvests year after year.

Olives

If you’re seeking something a little different, olives are excellent fruit trees to grow in warmer regions. The Olive El Greco is a standout for its vigorous growth and high-quality fruit. Olives bring Mediterranean flair and are surprisingly fuss-free once established, making them a unique but rewarding addition to your orchard or garden.

Easy Care Tips for Growing Fruit Trees

Once you’ve chosen your best fruit trees to grow, planting and care are vital for success. Good soil preparation, mulch and regular watering establish healthy roots and strong growth. Pruning helps shape your trees and encourages better flowering and fruiting. Fertilise in spring and protect young trees from pests to ensure an abundant yield for many years to come.

Start Your Orchard Journey

Whether you’re dreaming of crisp apples, sweet plums, or unique olives, choosing the best fruit trees to grow starts with picking varieties suited for your region and lifestyle. Explore our range, including the Plum Omega, Plum 'Greengage', Apple Liberty (Liberty Apple), Apple Wandin Glory (Wandin Glory Apple), and Olive El Greco, and enjoy the delicious rewards of your own home orchard.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Celebrate your favourites like Rhododendron 'Scented Sun' and Coprosma 'Hawera' (Sand Coprosma), then branch out with Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gumball', Solanum jasminoides Grandiflora (Potato Vine), and Prunus Falling Snow.
–The Plant Company

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