Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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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.

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 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:

Heritage apples, like Apple Liberty (Liberty Apple), prized for their disease resistance and tangy sweetness, and Apple Wandin Glory (Wandin Glory Apple), an heirloom variety known for its crisp texture and distinctive flavour.
Plums such as Plum Omega, valued for their high yield and rich taste, and Plum 'Greengage', renowned for their juicy, honeyed fruit.
Mediterranean classics, including Olive El Greco, which harks back to historic gardens and produces robust olives for the home grower.

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.