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heritage fruit trees nz

Searching for heritage fruit trees nz? You’re in the right place! New Zealand has a proud history of growing remarkable, old-world fruit varieties that are treasured for their unique flavours, resilience, and the stories they tell. Whether you’re starting a backyard orchard or adding a special tree to your garden, heritage fruit trees offer the satisfaction of sustainable homegrown produce and a connection to generations past. Discover what makes these trees perfect for Kiwi gardens—from their diverse uses to tips for planting, nurturing, and harvesting.

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 $299.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Fruit Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden uses: Living areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
nashi-pear-nijisseiki-

Nashi 'Nijisseiki'

Nashi '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: 4.00 m
Spread: 3.50 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 'Hosui' is a popular deciduous fruit tree that produces large, juicy pears with crisp, sweet flesh and a refreshing flavour. It crops reliably...

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
cherry-compact-stella-
Cherry 'Compact Stella'

'Compact Stella' Cherry is a compact sweet cherry tree that produces generous crops of large dark red cherries with rich sweet flavour. Its...

From$425.89
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
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
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
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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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
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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
'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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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
olive-el-greco-
Olive 'El Greco'

Olive 'El Greco' is a versatile olive tree known for producing high quality fruit suitable for both oil and table use. This evergreen tree features...

From$34.43
Avocado 'Bacon' fruit on a tree
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$99.95
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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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
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
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
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
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
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 '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
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
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
Persimmon 'Fuyu'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Apricot, Cherry, and Nashi, or related Categories - Apricot Trees, Cherry Trees, and Nashi Pears. Alternatively, forage through similar ideas like bunnings fruit trees nz, and best place to buy fruit trees.

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Why Choose Heritage Fruit Trees NZ?

Heritage fruit trees are celebrated in New Zealand for their exceptional taste, adaptability, and historical value. Unlike many modern cultivars bred for mass production, heritage fruit varieties have been selected over centuries for their flavour, reliability, and suitability to local climate conditions. By growing heritage fruit trees, you help preserve genetic diversity and revive flavours that can’t be found on supermarket shelves. Many Kiwis appreciate these trees for their resilience to local pests, ability to thrive without excessive inputs, and their unique stories—many originating from early settler gardens and old orchards.

Popular Heritage Fruit Tree Varieties

New Zealand gardeners adore a range of traditional fruit trees, each with their own seasonal rewards. Some favourites include:

Choosing heritage fruit trees nz means selecting varieties that are as beautiful as they are delicious—from apples for fresh eating and preserves, plums perfect for jams and desserts, to olives that bring a taste of Europe to Kiwi tables.

Planting and Caring for Heritage Fruit Trees

Heritage fruit trees are often tough and adaptable, making them ideal for backyard orchards across New Zealand. When planting, choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Most heritage apples, plums, and olives tolerate a range of conditions, but mulch around the base and regular watering will set your tree up for success. Prune in late winter to shape young trees and encourage healthy fruiting. Keep an eye out for old-fashioned tips, such as companion planting and organic feeding, which can help maintain health and productivity.

Uses for Heritage Fruit Trees

From fresh eating to culinary creations, heritage fruit is treasured for its versatility. Apples like Apple Liberty (Liberty Apple) and Apple Wandin Glory (Wandin Glory Apple) are exceptional for pies, sauces, and ciders. Plums such as Plum Omega and Plum 'Greengage' shine in preserves and tarts. Olives from Olive El Greco are packed with character for homemade oil and antipasti. Many heritage fruit trees also attract beneficial insects, adding life and biodiversity to your garden.

Where to Find Heritage Fruit Trees NZ

If you’re ready to add heritage fruit trees to your NZ garden, explore our range online. Each tree carries with it generations of history, unmatched flavour, and the potential to become a family tradition. With careful planting and a little patience, you’ll enjoy harvests for years to come, and help preserve the rich horticultural heritage of New Zealand.

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.
The spotlight often lands on Griselinia 'Broadway Mint' and Griselinia 'Canterbury', but Pecan carya 'Lucas', Ilex 'Sky Pencil', and Photinia 'Black Jack' deserve a standing ovation too.
–The Plant Company

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