Lemon Lemonade

What are the best lemons for Lemonade?

While the choice of lemon for Lemonade ultimately depends on personal preference. For a Classic Tart Lemonade, Eureka is a reliable choice for traditional lemonade. It's known for its bright, acidic juice and good yield. The Lisbon Lemon is similar to Eureka and are also tart and juicy, often seedless. Some consider them to have a slightly smoother flavour. For an acidic lemonade with a hint of sweetness, Meyer lemons are a good option. However, the top pick is the Lemonade Lemon. As the name suggests, this is a naturally sweeter lemon variety with low acidity, often described as having a refreshing, mild flavour with hints of mandarin. Be sure to always use fresh, ripe lemons and avoid lemons that are bruised, soft, or have blemishes.

How to care for a Lemonade Lemon tree

Caring for a Lemonade Lemon tree is relatively easy with a few key tips. The site chosen for them must be sheltered, well-drained, and be in full sun. Lemonade lemons are relatively hardy but still need protection from hard frosts, especially when young. After planting be sure to mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Water regularly, especially during the first year to establish a strong root system and during dry periods. Mature trees need less frequent watering but a good drenching when they are watered. Lemonade Lemon trees are heavy feeders and should be fed with a generous does of citrus fertiliser in spring. Prune the trees lightly to maintain a desired shape and size, especially if grown in a container. Monitor your tree regularly for common citrus pests like aphids, scale, mealybugs, and mites. These are easily controlled with an insecticide. Lemonade Lemon trees are self-fertile and don't need another tree for pollination to produce fruit.

What is the difference between a lemon tree and a lemonade tree?

The difference between a regular lemon tree and a Lemonade Lemon tree lies primarily in the taste of their fruit: A Lemon tree generally produces fruit that is typically tart, acidic, and often quite sour. These lemons are excellent for traditional lemonade making where you need to add a significant amount of sugar to balance the acidity. Common varieties include Eureka and Lisbon. The Lemonade lemon tree produces fruit that is significantly sweeter and less acidic than regular lemons. The flavour is often described as a mild, refreshing, sweet lemon with hints of mandarin orange. Some people can even eat the fruit fresh. This natural sweetness means you need much less or even no added sugar to make a "lemonade" style drink from its juice. The fruit is often rounder than a typical lemon and turns a pale yellow when ripe. The rind is usually thin and easy to peel. It is also strongly scented.

Can you eat Lemonade Lemons?

Yes, you absolutely can eat Lemonade Lemons! Unlike regular lemons which are very tart and acidic, Lemonade Lemons have a significantly lower acid content and a higher level of natural sugars. This results in a sweet, refreshing flavour with only a hint of tartness, often described as being reminiscent of actual lemonade.

How tall do lemonade lemon trees grow?

Lemonade Lemon trees are generally smaller than standard lemon trees, making them a great choice for home gardens. They typically grow to a height of around 2 metres with a similar spread. Some Lemonade Lemon trees are grafted onto dwarf rootstock, which can keep them even smaller to about 1.8 metres in height and width. These are excellent for smaller spaces and container growing.

Where to buy Lemonade Lemon trees in NZ

The Plant Company has the best Lemonade Lemon trees to buy in NZ. Our production nursery specialises in grafting and growing amazing plants and our logistics team pack them carefully for our customers. The pricing is competitive and the quality is exceptional. Let us look after your plant needs and impress you with both our products and service!