Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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fruit trees to plant in summer

Looking to create a vibrant, productive garden during the warmer months? Choosing the right fruit trees to plant in summer can reward you with delicious harvests for years to come. With the right varieties and a little care, many fruit trees thrive when planted in summer’s warmer soils, quickly establishing strong roots before next winter. Here’s your friendly guide to the best fruit trees for summer planting in New Zealand, including practical tips to help you get the best results.

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.

Buy Plum 'Greengage'

From $295.19

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

'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.

Buy Plum Omega

From $343.89

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

Why Plant Fruit Trees in Summer?

While autumn is traditional for fruit tree planting, summer can be an excellent alternative in many New Zealand regions. Warm ground temperatures promote fast root growth, and many nursery-grown fruit trees are sold in containers ready for immediate planting. This helps your new tree settle in quickly and start preparing for its first season of growth.

Top Fruit Trees to Plant in Summer

Plum Trees

Plums are renowned for their reliable cropping and delicious fruit. Among the most rewarding varieties is the Plum Omega, loved for its juicy, deep-flavoured fruit perfect for fresh eating and preserving. If you’re after something unique, the Plum 'Greengage' has a luscious, honeyed taste that has made it a favourite in Kiwi gardens for generations. Both varieties are suited to summer planting and will quickly settle in with regular watering.

Apple Trees

Apples are classic orchard staples, and many varieties thrive with summer planting. The Apple Liberty (Liberty Apple) is a top pick for its crisp, aromatic fruit and strong resistance to disease—ideal for low-spray or organic growers. For those seeking a reliable, heavy producer, Apple Wandin Glory (Wandin Glory Apple) stands out with its versatility in the kitchen and robust growth habit.

Olive Trees

Expand your backyard orchard with an olive tree for a Mediterranean twist. Olive El Greco is well-suited to New Zealand conditions and can be planted in summer, especially in warmer regions. Its attractive evergreen foliage makes a lovely garden feature and, with time, rewards you with homegrown olives for pickling and oil.

Tips for Success with Summer-Planted Fruit Trees

To ensure your fruit trees planted in summer get off to the best start:

Water deeply and regularly until established, especially through dry spells
Apply mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool
Plant in a well-drained, sunny site for optimal growth
Stake young trees if exposed to wind

By selecting the right fruit trees to plant in summer and following these simple steps, you’ll enjoy a thriving, fruitful garden that just gets better each year.

Ready to start planting? Browse our range including Plum Omega, Plum 'Greengage', Apple Liberty (Liberty Apple), Apple Wandin Glory (Wandin Glory Apple), and Olive El Greco to find the perfect match for your garden.

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.