15 Dwarf Fruit Trees That Are Perfect For A Smaller Yard

Fresh fruit is incomparable in taste, texture, aroma, and color. Many fruits available in your supermarket produce section have travelled and ripened over time, producing a different result than those items fresh off the tree. Unfortunately, many of us don't have large yards in which to grow our own orchards to ensure these tree-to-table treats are widely available. 

While it may be difficult to cultivate large fruit trees at home, the good news is there are many smaller varieties available that can be worked into even a tiny yard, and even some fruits that will grow in pots that can be supported on backyard patios too. Dwarf fruit trees can often produce enough fruit to easily fulfill a family's needs, and are a fabulous alternative to traditional, larger varieties, according to SF Gate.

Discover these 15 varieties of fruit tree to find the right one for your home. Fragrant flowers and tasty treats will soon be within reach.

You commonly see dwarf lemon trees in patio-sized pots, although these plants will eventually grow larger. Crate and Basket describes three main varieties of dwarf lemons. Meyer lemons are more of an orangey lemon-orange hybrid, known for sweetness and floral, aromatic flowers. Eureka lemons resemble the bright yellow standard lemons you see in stores. Lisbon lemons are the yellow cousin of the Eureka, with a more dimpled shape and extra juice.

Dwarf lemons will typically grow from 8 to 10 feet tall compared with the 20 foot tall standard variety. Bloom Season is not set as fruit can often be harvested year-round (via Monrovia), as these citrus are well-suited to warm climates like USDA growing zones 9 through 10. Growing conditions include full sun; water regularly using a standard fruit tree and vine soil type mix.

If you're looking to put the "lime in the coconut," a dwarf lime tree may be the right fit for you. While considered a low-maintenance fruit tree, potted limes are still tropical, and dwarf potted varieties can make it easier to bring these inside for the winter in colder climates.

Experts at Citrus describe dwarf lime trees as growing 6 to 10 feet in size when planted in the ground, but these trees will stay even shorter if left in a pot. Spring is the natural bloom season, but warm USDA growing zones of 9 to 10 or indoors can extend flowering (via Gardens Alive). Plant in a sandy soil type in growing conditions that include full sun to partial shade.

A dwarf cherry tree is different from a cherry shrub, although both are excellent options for urban growers according to Orchard People. Dwarf cherry trees can still gain significant size if not tended, but offer a larger variety of fruits than a standard shrub, making both sweet and tart cherries available to backyard growers. Example cultivars include names like Romeo, Juliet, Crimson Passion, Valentine, and Cupid for sour shrubs, or the more common Bing, Lapins, or Ranier for a dwarf tree. 

Cherry bloom season is typically in the spring when grown in USDA growing zones 2 to 7 (via Gurney's). Growing conditions include full sun and self-pollinating plants in a soil type that stays well drained. Dwarf cherries trees may reach 5 to 7 feet in size, although bushes may be smaller.

There are many varieties of dwarf orange to choose from including Campbell Valencia and Washington Navel for standard oranges; Clementine, Satsuma, and Tango for mandarins; and you can even grow the semi-dwarf Moro blood orange or the Smith Red, according to Fine Gardening experts.

Suited to warmer climates such as USDA growing Zones 8 to 11 or 4 to 11 on the patio, many prefer to keep these trees potted so they can be moved inside and outside seasonally (via Fast Growing Trees). Growing conditions including full sun and a well-drained soil type with a regular watering schedule have seen year-round harvests of fruit yielding a year-long bloom season. Dwarf oranges may average 8 feet in size.

Dwarf plum trees celebrate a bloom season in spring yielding delicious summer to fall fruits. Grow Veg gardeners caution, however, that not all dwarf plums are self-pollinating, so make sure to read the fine print before ordering including your preferred fruit type, such as Italian plums or yellow plums. Growing around 8 to 10 feet in size, some dwarf plums may reach as tall as 15 feet (via SF Gate). Soil types of clay or loam are well suited, as are growing conditions including sunny, well-circulated air in USDA growing zones 3 to 8 (per SF Gate).

Columnar apples are fruit trees trained to grow straight up from 8 to 11 feet but only spread about 2 feet wide, creating a column of apples as described by Fine Gardening. Three primary varieties of columnar apples that are popular include Northpole, which resembles traditional McIntosh apples; Golden Sentinel, which is similar to Golden Delicious; and Scarlet Sentinel, describes as "green-yellow apples with a red blush." 

Columnar apples' bloom season is the same as standard apples, and USDA growing zones 4 to 9 are ideal. Growing conditions will, however, require two trees for pollination, and you may need to prune fruits for plant stability. Grow in full sun with a soil type that is neither soggy nor bone dry (via Gardening Know How).

Hazelnuts are also actually a fruit, although we generally classify these as a nut. Hazelnuts can be grown as a single stem tree or allowed to spread and create a "hazel bush," according to Cornell's Small Farm program. Bloom season is in spring, although hazelnuts are generally adaptable to most soil types and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures.

Growing conditions may require extra care of the plant itself, as hazelnut growers will typically need two trees to cross pollinate. However, hazelnut trees will send out shoots (often called suckers) that help generate new tree "clones." Hazelnut growers should be aware that these trees are highly attractive to animals, so take care with your crop. Mature bushes will reach 8 to 12 feet in size and are suited to USDA growing zones 7 to 8, although some varieties list zones 5 to 7 (via Fast Growing Trees).