Fruits - Page 1 · George Washington's Mount Vernon

American Plum

Prunus americana

This native plum has a sprawling habit, which showcases the beautiful white flowers in spring and the unique pink plums in midsummer. The plants become scaly with age and are somewhat disease prone.

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Apples are ideally planted in multiples of different varieties for optimal fruit production, and many also benefit from pollinators to increase the effectiveness of cross-pollination. Most apple trees are grown from scionwood grafted to rootstock, and the kind of rootstock will determine the ultimate…

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Apricot

Prunus armeniaca

This underappreciated stone fruit has lovely blossoms early in the spring. Because of their early bloom time, the flowers are susceptible to freezing.

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Fig

Ficus carica

The fig tree dates back to ancient times and is an important source of food for many cultures. Flowers are borne inside the fig structure (syconium), and the fig is ripe and at its sweetest when it softens and turns dark late in the season. Coarse-textured leaves, which are large and deeply lobed, are…

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Gooseberry

Ribes uva-crispa

This uncommon shrub produces tart green fruits in summer that are suitable for jams and desserts. They have many sharp thorns and some care should be used when working around them.

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Key Lime

Citrus x aurantiifolia

Key limes are small citrus trees with highly fragrant white blossoms. They produce many delightful fruits which are excellent for cooking. In this region, they are best grown in pots so that they can be moved in and out as the temperatures dictate.

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Lemon

Citrus limon

As with the other tropicals grown at Mount Vernon, the lemons are grown in pots so that they can be moved into a greenhouse for the winter.

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Muscadine Grape

Vitis rotundifolia

This southern grape must be harshly pruned to keep it in check and producing vigorously. They are best used as table grapes, or for jams and jellies. If left unattended, it will rapidly take over your garden.

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Orange

Citrus x aurantium

Seville oranges are a small to medium citrus tree which produce bitter, unpleasant tasting oranges.

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Pawpaw

Asimina triloba

This small, colonizing tree produces the largest edible fruit indigenous to the United States. It has dark maroon flowers in the early spring which are pollinated by flies.

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Peach

Prunus persica

Peaches are wide fast growing trees that require careful pruning and maintenance in order to produce good quality fruit. Their vibrant pink flowers in spring are charming and attractive to pollinators.

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Pear

Pyrus communis

Like other fruit trees, pears require a good deal of maintenance in order to perform well. Many require a chilling period to fully ripen and are good for use in baking and cidermaking.

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Persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

Persimmons are an unusual American fruit that can colonize in abandoned fields and open woods. Female trees bear astringent orange fruits that become fully ripe after a frost.

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Plum

Prunus domestica

Plums have a sprawling, suckering growth habit and therefore require judicious pruning.

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Pomegranate

Punica granatum

This large shrub boasts vibrant orange flowers in the summer which ripen into large orange-red fruits.

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Pummelo

Citrus maxima

This citrus tree produces fragrant flowers followed by large fruits which are larger and sweeter than a grapefruit.

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Raspberry

Rubus idaeus

Raspberries are a sprawling thorny plant which benefit from a large growing area and the removal of older canes. They produce their first crop of fruit in May and June, and a later crop in August.

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Red Currant

Ribes rubrum

Red currants are a small tart fruit best harvested in June. They prefer well-drained soils as well as cool summer climates.

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Strawberry

Fragaria x ananassa

These easy to grow and delicious fruits are hardy and vigorous producers.

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Tart Cherry

Prunus cerasus Montmorency

Cherry tree species grown primarily for fruit production bloom later than the ornamental varieties. Tart cherries perform best in the humid climate of Virginia's coastal region.

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