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fruit trees to plant in winter

Gardeners across New Zealand know that winter is the ideal season to plant new fruit trees. While many people think fruit trees should only be planted in warmer months, the cooler winter weather actually provides perfect conditions for young roots to establish before the onset of spring growth. Choosing the right fruit trees to plant in winter ensures a thriving, productive orchard or backyard garden for years to come.

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.

From $442.93

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.

From $340.69

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
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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
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
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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
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 best place to buy fruit trees, and fast growing fruit trees nz.

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Why plant fruit trees in winter?

Winter planting gives fruit trees time to settle in while they are dormant, reducing transplant shock and encouraging strong root development. During this period, most deciduous varieties—such as apples, plums, and stone fruit—are best positioned for success. The moist, cool soil also means less watering is needed, making winter a low-maintenance season for planting.

Best fruit trees to plant in winter

Some fruit tree varieties are especially suited for winter planting and do particularly well in New Zealand gardens. Here are excellent fruit trees to plant in winter for reliable crops and vibrant spring growth:

Plums

Plums are among the hardiest, most reliable fruit trees for winter planting. For a classic variety, Plum Omega is renowned for its robust growth and consistent harvests. If you prefer traditional European sweetness and exceptional flavour, Plum 'Greengage' is a top choice, with its dense texture and honeyed taste. Both these varieties adapt well to local soils and establish firm root systems in the cooler months.

Apples

Apples are a staple for Kiwi gardens, and winter is the perfect season to plant apple trees. Apple Liberty (Liberty Apple) is a popular disease-resistant cultivar that thrives in many regions. Its crisp, juicy fruit and low-maintenance requirements make it ideal for backyard orchards. For those seeking heritage flavours, the Apple Wandin Glory (Wandin Glory Apple) offers an old-fashioned taste and attractive red skin, making it a standout addition for any fruit lover.

Olives

For something a little different, olives are a surprisingly resilient choice in many parts of New Zealand. Olive El Greco is especially tolerant of challenging conditions and can be planted in winter to establish deep roots before hot, dry summers arrive. Olives not only deliver bountiful harvests but also add Mediterranean charm and evergreen beauty to your landscape.

Tips for successful winter planting

When choosing fruit trees to plant in winter, select a well-drained site with good sunlight and shelter from harsh winds. Prepare the planting hole in advance, incorporating plenty of organic matter to support early root growth. Avoid planting into waterlogged soils, and apply mulch to retain moisture and maintain even soil temperature.

Winter is also a good time to consider staking young trees and providing initial training, setting them up for a strong framework in the years ahead.

Start your winter orchard

With proper planning, planting fruit trees in winter sets the foundation for an abundant, fruitful garden that will reward you for decades. Whether you’re interested in classic plums like Plum Omega or Plum 'Greengage', versatile apples such as Apple Liberty (Liberty Apple) and Apple Wandin Glory (Wandin Glory Apple), or the robust Olive El Greco, winter is your season to plant. Embrace the cooler weather, and look forward to homegrown harvests in the seasons ahead.

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 Zephyranthes candida and Rhododendron Vireya 'Pink Jazz', then branch out with Streptosolen jamesonii (Marmalade Bush), Pyrostegia venusta (Flame Vine), and Betula utilis 'Jacquemontii'.
–The Plant Company

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