Fruit trees for the patio

With the introduction of reliably dwarfing rootstocks it is now possible to grow a wide variety ofdelicious top fruits in pots and containers on the patio. Such trees are surprisingly productive andhave a unique beauty all their own. All types recommended will be happy with a tub size of 18inch ormore and we recommend that a soil based potting compost such as John Innes No. 2 is used. Virtuallyall main groups can now be grown very successfully in this way. Apples on the mini Rootstock M27will grow to just 5-6feet and most varieties are no available.

Remember if you are growing justone apple to choose a self pollinating cultivar such as Redsleeves, Greensleeves or self fertileCox. Of course if you can grow 2 or more the varietal choice is far wider. There is nothing tocompare with the joy of apple blossom brought to your patio. Pears on the Quince C stock are easilycontrolled in pots and naturally compact Concrde has excelled with this treatment and is also self fertile.Of course there is no taste finer than your very own Du Comice ripened to perfection on a warm sunny patio.Concorde or another suitable variety would be an excellent partner to the Du Comice. Plums on Pixy stockare suite simply superb trees for the patio.

There is a tempting range of succulent varieties to choosefrom, all of which can easily be grown in tubs and are even more compact if festooned. Victoria is themost popular choice but there are several other varieties of equal or greater merit. Look out of Opal,Marjores Seedling and Voiletta in particular. Gages and Damsons are also available on Pixy and providea choice variation, Peaches, Apricots and Nectarines are perhaps at their best on the patio where thewarm sun will ripen their fruits to perfection and you can enjoy the magical display of rosy pink blossom.Peaches and Nectarines are naturally compact trees which do very well in containers. Apricots are morevigorous but still quite easily contained especially from an early age. Cherries on the new stock takewell to containers. The naturally smaller Petite Noir is particularly superb on the patio and selfpollinating too. Cherries on the patio are much more readily protected from the birds. These are just afew recommendations.

You can also grow Figs, Kiwis, Blueberries, Strawberries, Cranberries and a host of other tempting fruits.Even if you are not restricted for space in the garden many of our customers like to enjoy at least some fruits close to handwhere they can be readily appreciated. And we know of several long time fruit enthusiasts who, having filled all the availablespace have added to their collection still further by squeezing a few more varieties into pots on the patio.