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what is the best mandarin tree

Searching for “what is the best mandarin tree” for your New Zealand garden? With so many delicious mandarins to choose from, it can be tricky to decide which variety will thrive and fruit best in your backyard. The answer depends on whether you prefer early crops, easy-care trees, super-sweet fruit, reliable cold hardiness, or all of the above. Let’s explore the top mandarin trees known for performing brilliantly in NZ gardens, so you can confidently pick the right mandarin for your needs.

'Satsuma' Mandarin orange fruit.

Mandarin 'Satsuma'

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Mandarin ‘Satsuma’ is one of New Zealand’s favourite early-season mandarins, producing sweet, juicy, seedless fruit with a delicate flavour and easy-to-peel skin. Harvested from early to mid-autumn, this reliable variety thrives in home gardens and is perfect for fresh eating and lunchboxes. The compact, evergreen tree offers both beauty and productivity, with fragrant spring blossom and an abundant crop each year. ‘Satsuma’ is a must-have citrus for those wanting exceptional flavour and hassle-free peeling.

From $50.99

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Citrus
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
'Satsuma' Mandarin fruit.

Mandarin 'Satsuma'

'Satsuma' is a very popular Mandarin variety because of its great taste, easy-to-peel fruit, and short stature. The fruit ripens in winter and is virtually seedless, sweet, and juicy. The lush foliage is glossy and dark green, becoming adorned with white flowers in summer as it reaches 1.2 m in height and the same width. This dwarf 'Satsuma' Mandarin tree is commonly included in mixed plantings, maintained in containers, used in courtyard gardens, or grown as a specimen.

From $270.40

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Citrus
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
'Silverhill' Mandarin orange fruit.
Mandarin 'Silverhill'

The ‘Silverhill’ Mandarin is a hardy, early-season variety producing sweet, juicy fruit with a thin, easy-to-peel skin. This seedless to low-seed...

From$49.88
A 'Miho' Mandarin orange fruit on a branch with lush, green foliage.
Mandarin 'Miho'

The 'Miho' Mandarin is a much-loved early-season variety, producing exceptionally sweet, juicy fruit with a thin, easy-to-peel skin. Harvested from...

'Encore' Mandarin fruit.
Mandarin 'Encore'

Mandarin ‘Encore’ is a popular late-season variety that produces sweet, richly flavoured fruit with a thin, easy-to-peel skin. Harvested from late...

Mandarin 'Kawano' orange fruit.
Mandarin 'Kawano'

Mandarin ‘Kawano’ is a late-season variety valued for its sweet, juicy, seedless fruit and long shelf life. The rich citrus flavour and easy-peel...

From$49.88
Mandarin 'Clementine' fruit.
Mandarin 'Clementine'

'Clementine' Mandarin is a popular variety prized for its sweet, juicy, and easy-peel fruit. The rich flavour and seedless nature make it ideal for...

From$56.63
magnolia-deryk-2
Magnolia Deryk (Magnolia Tree Deryk)

Magnolia Deryk is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, dark red-purple flowers from late winter until early spring. The flowers are...

From$343.89
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$299.92
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$343.89
Orange 'Best Seedless' orange fruit with orange flesh.
Orange 'Best Seedless'

The ‘Best Seedless’ Orange is a superb variety prized for its deliciously sweet, seedless fruit and easy-to-peel skin. Perfect for New Zealand...

cedrela-sinensis-flamingo-7
Cedrela sinensis Flamingo (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo is a highly colourful, deciduous tree featuring bright, salmon-pink foliage in spring which ages to cream-yellow, and then...

From$28.28
Yellow 'Lemonade' Lemon fruit on a tree.
Lemon 'Lemonade'

The ‘Lemonade’ Lemon is a unique citrus variety producing sweet, refreshing fruit that can be eaten straight from the tree. Its flavour is...

From$299.92
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai) juvenile tree growing as a specimen in a park.
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai)

Prumnopitys taxifolia, commonly known as Matai or Black Pine, is a stately, NZ native tree with quite different juvenile and adult forms. The...

From$329.63
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
A fantastic Titoki tree (Alectryon excelsus) growing as a speciment tree in an urban park.
Alectryon excelsus

Alectryon excelsus, commonly known as the Titoki tree, is a handsome New Zealand native tree valued for its lush, glossy foliage and tidy, rounded...

From$27.53
ulmus-carpinifolia-variegata-4
Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata (Field Elm)

Ulmus carpinifolia Variegata, commonly known as Field Elm or Variegated Elm tree, is a stately, deciduous tree grown for its colourful foliage. The...

From$432.79
magnolia-strawberry-fields-1
Magnolia Strawberry Fields (Strawberry Fields Magnolia Tree)

Magnolia Strawberry Fields is a stunning deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, semi-double, deep red flowers through late winter and...

From$432.79
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' trees with yellow foliage in autumn.
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' (Tulip Tree)

Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, also known as the Upright Tulip Tree, is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its narrow, columnar form. It...

From$432.79
Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.
Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers...

From$26.93
prunus-felix-jury-
Prunus Felix Jury

Prunus Felix Jury is a variety of Flowering Cherry that features masses of large, claret-red blossoms in spring which are held as pendulous clusters...

From$432.79
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...

fruiting-plant-fertiliser-
Fruit Tree Fertiliser (Fruit Tree Fertiliser)

Fruiting plants respond well to fruit tree fertiliser with better quality produce, higher yields, and a much healthier and brighter looking plant...

From$13.40
magnolia-amethyst-flame-2
Magnolia Amethyst Flame (Amethyst Flame Magnolia Tree)

Magnolia Amethyst Flame is a smaller tree that bears masses of large and showy, bright red-purple flowers in late winter and early spring on the...

From$299.92
pear-doyenne-du-comice-semi-dwarf-2
Pear Doyenne du Comice (Comice Pear Tree)

The Comice pear tree (Pyrus communis Doyenne du Comice) is regarded as having the best flavour of all the pear varieties. It bears green skinned...

From$299.92
magnolia-margaret-helen-
Magnolia Margaret Helen (Magnolia Tree Margaret Helen)

Magnolia Margaret Helen is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, rose-pink flowers through late winter and early spring. These are...

From$343.89
A large Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' trees in an avenue with masses of red flowers.
Metrosideros 'Maori Princess'

Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' is a stunning cultivar of the NZ Christmas tree (Pohutukawa) and is renowned for its brilliant crimson-red flowers and...

From$28.28
ulmus-lobel-
Ulmus Lobel (Dutch Elm Tree)

Ulmus Lobel is a variety of Dutch Elm tree grown for its colourful foliage and narrow form. The leaves emerge a fresh green colour in spring, age to...

From$343.89
schinus-molle-3
Schinus molle (California Pepper Tree)

Schinus molle, commonly known as the California Pepper Tree, is an evergreen tree grown for its attractive form and foliage. The leaves are bright...

From$299.92
magnolia-jc-williams-3
Magnolia JC Williams (Magnolia Tree JC Williams)

Magnolia JC Williams bears masses of large and showy, rose-purple flowers through late winter and early spring. These are borne on the naked stems...

From$343.89
acer-princeton-gold-
Acer platanoides Princeton Gold (Princeton Gold Maple Tree)

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold is a variety of the commonly known, Plane-Leaved Maple, and is a medium sized tree with fantastic foliage. The leaves...

From$391.14
Lagerstroemia 'Best Red' red flowers amidst dark purple foliage.
Lagerstroemia 'Best Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Best Red’ is a standout crepe myrtle prized for its intense red summer flowers and strong upright tree form. Flowering through the...

From$358.98
Mandarin 'Satsuma'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Alectryon, Cedrela, Dacrydium, Lagerstroemia, Lemon, Liriodendron, Magnolia, Mandarin, Melia, Metrosideros, Orange, Pear, Prumnopitys, Prunus, Schinus Sorbus and Ulmus, or related Categories - General Garden Fertiliser, Lemon Trees, Mandarin Trees, Orange Trees, Pear Trees, Deciduous Shrubs, Deciduous Trees, Evergreen Trees, Flowering Cherry Tree Magnolia Trees and Maple Tree.

Search what is the best mandarin tree

How to Choose the Best Mandarin Tree

When deciding what is the best mandarin tree, consider your local climate, available space, and taste preferences. New Zealand’s temperate weather is ideal for many mandarins, but some do better than others in cooler southern areas or exposed spots. If you’re looking for minimal fuss, select a variety resistant to common diseases and tolerant of our variable seasons.

Key factors to consider: - Frost tolerance (important in southern regions) - Fruit quality (flavour, sweetness, and juiciness) - Harvest time (early, mid, late season) - Tree size and growth habit - Seed content (nearly seedless is popular for kids and lunches)

Top-Rated Mandarin Tree Varieties for NZ

Mandarin ‘Satsuma’

Among all mandarins, the classic Mandarin 'Satsuma' is often voted as the best mandarin tree for Kiwi gardens. Satsuma is one of the earliest fruiting varieties, ripening from late June to August, just in time for winter treats. It’s celebrated for its sweet, juicy, nearly seedless fruit and high reliability, even in cooler areas. The tree is naturally compact and self-fertile, making it easy to fit into smaller gardens or pots.

Mandarin ‘Miho’

For those seeking an especially sweet, easy-peeling fruit, Mandarin 'Miho' is a top contender. It’s an improved Satsuma-type, well-regarded for abundant crops of large, thin-skinned fruit. Miho trees are hardy, slightly more vigorous than standard Satsuma, and begin cropping early in the season.

Mandarin ‘Aoshima’

Another excellent option for those wondering what is the best mandarin tree is the popular Mandarin 'Aoshima'. This variety offers a slightly later harvest, extending your picking season into mid-spring. The fruit is richly flavoured, sweet, and aromatic, making Aoshima a go-to for mandarin lovers with a little patience.

Mandarin ‘Silverhill’

If you’re after an exceptionally reliable choice that thrives even where frosts might nip other citrus, Mandarin 'Silverhill' is praised for its flavour, easy peel, and consistent crops. It’s an outstanding performer in diverse NZ climates.

Grow the Best Mandarin Tree at Home

No matter your pick, all the top mandarins above are suited to the New Zealand climate and produce outstanding fruit with a little care. Plant your tree in a sunny, sheltered spot, keep up with regular fertilising, and watch for pests like scale or aphids.

Still deciding what is the best mandarin tree? Explore our full range, and enjoy the taste of homegrown, sun-ripened mandarins in your own backyard.

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.
Our garden favourites Schefflera arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree) and Sambucus nigra get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Orange 'Best Seedless', Nandina Obsession, and Hydrangea 'Libelle'.
–The Plant Company

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