Are you interested in adding fruit trees to your landscaping? Dive into the world of fruit trees with us and explore the best varieties to grow in the unique climate of Colorado! With its diverse landscapes and fluctuating temperatures, Colorado presents both challenges and opportunities for fruit tree cultivation. Whether you're dreaming of juicy peaches, crisp apples, or tart cherries, we'll be sharing insights, tips, and recommendations to help you select the best Colorado fruit trees for your gardens and landscapes.
Can You Grow Fruit Trees in Colorado?
Yes, you can grow fruit trees in Colorado! While the state's diverse climate and high altitude present unique challenges, many fruit tree varieties can thrive in Colorado's conditions with proper care and attention. Selecting fruit tree varieties that are well-suited to Colorado's climate is key to successful cultivation. Additionally, providing adequate protection from late spring frosts, consistent irrigation, and proper soil preparation can help fruit trees thrive and produce a bountiful harvest in Colorado's challenging growing conditions. While banana trees and mango trees may not fare well in Colorado's climate, there are plenty of excellent options for fruit trees that thrive in this region, including apple trees, peach trees, plum trees, and even nectarine trees! With the right selection and care, growing fruit trees in Colorado can be a rewarding and fruitful endeavor.
What Fruit Trees Grow in Colorado?
Many people do not realize that numerous fruit tree varieties grow remarkably well in Colorado. Below is a list of some of our favorite Colorado fruit trees. Plus, did you know that Bath Landscape & Irrigation has an on-site nursery with tons of trees, shrubs, and perennials for you to shop at your convenience? Shop options for some of the best fruit trees for Colorado by visiting our nursery in person or shop for trees online today! Please remember that our inventory constantly fluctuates and that available varieties may change from year to year. If you are looking for a specific variety, reach out to us directly!
Apple Trees
1. Honeycrisp Apple Tree (Malus x 'MN 1711')
These decorative trees produce large red apples late in the season that are exceptionally juicy and crisp with a sub-acidic flavor ranging from mild and well-balanced to strongly aromatic depending on fruit maturity. Honeycrisp apple trees need a pollinator, so it is best to plant another apple tree like the Haralred, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, or an additional Honeycrisp near your apple tree.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 20-25 feet
Width: 10-15 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Spring
2. Fuji Apple Tree (Malus domestica Fuji)
One of the best home-grown apples, Fuji apple trees offer crisp, sweet, and juicy fruit with skin that ranges from yellow-green with red highlights to mostly red. Exceptional for fresh eating and also great for baking. Plant a pollenizer such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Red Delicious for best fruit production.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 10-30 feet
Width: 8-10 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
3. Pink Lady Apple Tree (Malus domestica 'Pink Lady')
A cross between Lady Williams and Golden Delicious, this variety is popular for its sweet/tart flavor and crisp texture. Medium-sized trees produce juicy, pink-tinged fruit with thin skin and white flesh. They are known for their disease resistance and ability to thrive in various climates.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 15-20 feet
Width: 8-10 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White/Pink
Bloom Time: Spring
4. Norland Apple Tree (Malus 'Norland')
Norland Apple trees are a hardy and productive fruit tree variety known for their early ripening, crisp apples, and adaptability to Colorado's diverse climate. They are well-suited to the state's varying elevation levels, tolerating both the lower regions and the higher mountain areas. The apples are sweet, tart, and crisp when partially red and very sweet when allowed to ripen to full red.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 12-15 feet
Width: 12-15 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White/pink
Bloom Time: Spring
5. Haralred Apple Tree (Malus 'Lautz')
This is a popular choice for those seeking a hardy, disease-resistant tree that produces delicious apples. Producing medium to large-sized apples with a bright red color and sweet-tart flavor, this apple is great for eating fresh or for use in baking, as it holds its shape well. The Haralred apple tree is a hardy variety and can tolerate various growing conditions. They do require a pollenizer, so consider planting another apple tree like the Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, or Cortland apple near any Haralred apple tree.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 12-15 feet
Width: 12-15 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
Pear Trees
6. Bartlett Pear Tree (Pyrus x 'Bartlett')
Large and richly flavored, Bartlett pears have thin skin and are sweet and tender. They are easy to grow and adapt to most conditions, making them ideal for Northern Colorado. They do need a pollenizer to produce fruit, which we recommend Bosc or Anjou varieties.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 10-15 feet
Width: 10-12 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
7. Summercrisp Pear Tree (Pyrus 'Summercrisp')
An extremely hardy variety of pear tree, this is one of the best fruit trees for Colorado. It blooms early in May and produces fruit that should be harvested in mid-August when crisp and green with a slight red blush. We recommend using either Parker or Patten varieties as a pollenizer for this tree.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 12-15 feet
Width: 8-12 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
8. D'Anjou Pear Tree (Pyrus 'D'Anjou')
This variety is popular for its large, juicy fruit having a sweet, mild flavor and buttery texture. They are easy to grow and care for and can thrive in a range of soil types and climates. For best fruit production, plant another pear tree nearby. D'Anjou pears are also versatile in the kitchen and can be eaten fresh, cooked, or canned.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Light Requirements: Partial-full sun
Height: 10-12 feet
Width: 10-12 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
9. Golden Spice Pear Tree (Pyrus ‘Golden Spice’)
Producing juicy, aromatic fruits with a delicate sweetness, this hardy tree is easy to grow and reaches a height of up to 20 feet. Its leaves turn a stunning yellow-orange in the fall, adding a touch of color to your landscape.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 15-20 feet
Canopy Width: 8-12 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
Cherry Trees
10. Bing Sweet Cherry Tree (Prunus avium 'Bing')
This is possibly the most popular sweet cherry variety, known for producing exceptionally large, dark red fruit that is firm, sweet, and juicy. Excellent for eating fresh, canning, or preserves. We recommend planting a pollenizer such as Stella or Rainier varieties for best production.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 15-20 feet
Width: 15-20 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
11. Montmorency Cherry Tree (Prunus 'Montmorency')
Montmorency cherries are a brilliant red fruit that is large, tart, firm, and juicy. They are perfect for pies or preserves. These fruit trees are vigorous growers and are highly productive.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 12-18 feet
Width: 20-25 feet
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
12. Stella Cherry Tree (Prunus avium 'Stella')
This is a popular variety known for its large, dark red fruit with sweet flavor. These self-pollinating trees produce showy white flowers in the spring and an abundance of cherries in mid-summer. They are disease-resistant, making them a low-maintenance option for any backyard orchard.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 15-20 feet
Canopy Width: 15-20 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
13. North Star Cherry Tree (Prunus cerasus 'North Star')
The perfect choice for gardeners who want an attractive, high-yielding fruit tree, these compact trees produce abundant crops of delicious, dark-red cherries that ripen in mid-summer. North Star cherry trees are also a great choice for small gardens, as they grow to a manageable size and are easy to maintain.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 6-10 feet
Canopy Width: 6-8 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
14. Romeo Dwarf Cherry Bush (Prunus × 'Romeo')
This compact and versatile fruit-bearing shrub is perfect for small spaces and is specifically bred for its exceptional cold-hardiness and delicious cherries. This dwarf cherry bush is self-pollinating, offers a stunning display throughout the seasons, and can yield up to 30 pounds of fruit per plant once established.
Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 5-7 feet
Canopy Width: 5-7 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
Fruit: Mid to late Summer
Peach Trees
15. Reliance Peach Tree (Prunus 'Reliance')
Perfect for those who love juicy, sweet peaches, these trees produce medium to large fruit with a bright red blush covering a yellow background. The Reliance Peach is a hardy, self-pollinating tree perfect for cooler climates as it can tolerate low temperatures. The tree is also disease-resistant, making it low-maintenance and easy to care for.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 5-8
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 10-15 feet
Width: 10-15 feet
Bloom Color: Pink/white
Bloom Time: Spring
16. Contender Peach (Prunus x 'Contender')
A freestone peach with bright yellow flesh that is sweet in flavor and oh-so-juicy. The Contender Peach has excellent cold hardiness and tolerance of spring frosts, making it ideal for Colorado growing. This variety is self-pollinating and is usually ready for harvest in mid-to-late August.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 12-15 feet
Width: 15-18 feet
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Spring
17. Bonfire Peach Trees (Prunus 'Bonfire')
These unique and ornamental fruit tree varieties are known for their beautiful blossoms, compact size, and delicious peaches. Bonfire Peach trees are specifically bred to have a dwarf-like growth habit, making them ideal for smaller gardens or containers and allowing for easy maintenance and harvesting.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 4-6 feet
Canopy Width: 4-6 feet
Foliage Color: Dark red and burgundy in the Spring/Summer. Golden in the fall.
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Spring
18. Red Haven Peach Tree (Prunus persica 'Red Haven')
A renowned and highly sought-after peach variety known for its exceptional flavor, vibrant color, and reliable performance, this semi-dwarf tree is one of the finest, early-ripening peach trees! These peaches have exceptional taste and are juicy, sweet, and bursting with flavor.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 12-15 feet
Canopy Width: 12-15 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Spring
Plum Trees
19. Santa Rosa Plum (Prunus salicina 'Santa Rosa')
A showy display of white flowers in the spring yields an abundant harvest of dark crimson fruit each summer. The fruit has firm flesh with a wonderful flavor for fresh eating. Fruit production is higher when another plum tree is nearby.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 20-30 feet
Width: 20-30 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
20. Pipestone Plum (Prunus 'Pipestone')
Pipestone plums are very attractive red plums with a golden blush. They have sweet, juicy, yellow flesh with excellent quality and impressive size. They are good for fresh eating or for use in jams and jellies. This variety is very hardy, making it ideal for growing in Colorado.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 10-15 feet
Width: 8-12 feet
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
21. Mount Royal Plum Tree (Prunus 'Mount Royal')
This variety of plum trees is very cold hardy, making it ideal for Colorado's climate. It is self-pollinating and produces delicious dark blue plums, ready to eat right off the tree. Enjoy their beauty, with stunning white blossoms in the spring and yellow foliage in the summer and fall seasons.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 8-12 feet
Canopy Width: 6-10 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
22. Toka Plum Tree (Prunus 'Toka')
This deciduous American-Japanese hybrid tree produces large, pointed fruit with red skin and yellow flesh. These fruits have a rich, spicy flavor and are said to taste like bubblegum! Toka plum trees are hardy in USDA zones 3-8, making them a good choice for a wide range of climates. They are also self-pollinating, so you only need one tree to produce fruit.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 8-10 feet
Canopy Width: 8-10 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Spring
Nectarine Trees
23. Fantasia Nectarine (Prunus persica var. nucipersica 'Fantasia')
One of the most adaptable nectarine tree varieties for home gardens, Fantasia nectarines produce bright pink flowers in spring, providing showy color and attracting butterflies and birds. It has very large, freestone fruit with red skin and bright yellow, firm flesh. The fruit typically ripens mid-to-late July. Being hardy to zone 6, this is an ideal tree for areas with milder winters.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 6-9
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 20-25 feet
Width: 20-25 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Spring
24. Flavortop Nectarine (Prunus persica var. nucipersica 'Flavortop')
Flavortop nectarines are the epitome of flavor and beauty in the world of nectarines. They are vigorous and heavy-bearing trees with fruit that have exceptional flavor and sweetness. Fragrant pink flowers yield a summer harvest of large freestone nectarines with sweet yellow flesh. The Flavortop nectarine tree is self-pollinating with its fruit ripening in August.
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Hardiness Zone: 6-9
Light Requirements: Full sun
Height: 20-25 feet
Width: 20-25 feet
Foliage Color: Green
Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Spring
Key Considerations When Buying Colorado Fruit Trees
Now that you have a few ideas in terms of what fruit trees grow in Colorado, it is important to consider a few things before planting. Being aware of these key considerations will help to ensure that you have the appropriate expectations for your fruit trees. It is also important to be aware of some key factors if you expect to have strong and healthy trees that provide bountiful harvests for years to come.
1. Choose an Appropriate Location for Your Fruit Tree
This is a crucial factor to take into account. Your fruit tree not only requires full sun exposure to produce fruit but also adequate space to flourish. Always factor in the mature size of your plant to ensure it has sufficient room for growth without encroaching on other structures or causing damage. Consider exploring dwarf varieties of fruit trees if space is limited. It's important to note that a discontented tree, deprived of sunlight, nutrients, water, or space, will be unable to bear fruit!
2. Fruit Tree Production: What to Expect
Make sure you have the right expectations for your fruit trees before planting! It may take several years for a newly planted tree to begin bearing fruit. Any newly planted tree, shrub, or perennial requires a period, usually between 1 and 3 years, to establish itself, and only after it's firmly rooted will it be able to direct its energy towards fruit production. Therefore, it's important to exercise patience with your tree and ensure it receives the necessary care that is required to develop robustly and thrive.
3. Be Aware of Critters and Unwelcome Guests
As delightful as the fruit from your tree may be, it's inevitable that other creatures will also find it enticing! When you plant a fruit tree, you're also engaging in a battle with local wildlife, including birds, squirrels, raccoons, deer, insects, and other unwanted visitors. Protecting your fruit from these critters can be quite challenging, as they are often cunning and persistent. If you need help or ideas on how to protect your tree from being damaged and your fruit from being stolen, give us a call or come into the garden center to chat with a member of our staff.
Tips for Growing Fruit Trees in Colorado
1. Choose the Right Varieties
Select fruit tree varieties that are well-suited to Colorado's climate and growing conditions. Look for cold-hardy varieties that can tolerate temperature fluctuations and late spring frosts. While every variety listed above and offered in-store is capable of withstanding cold winter temperatures, some may be more tolerant than others. Be aware of this and provide special care and attention to varieties that are more tender,
2. Provide Frost Protection
Colorado's climate can be unpredictable, with late spring frosts posing a threat to budding fruit trees. Cover young trees with frost blankets or sheets on cold nights to protect them from frost damage. Some more tender fruit trees may also require tree wrap throughout the winter months to protect their soft bark from winter damage. Be aware of the varieties you have chosen so that you can cater to their needs and adequately protect them!
3. Plant in the Right Location
Ensure your fruit trees receive full sun exposure for optimal growth and fruit production. Plant them in well-drained soil with good air circulation to prevent disease. As we mentioned above, it is also very important to plant them in an area that will give them enough room to grow. Consider their mature size, keeping in mind that any tree will be unhealthy and sustain/cause damage if planted in a space that is not large enough.
4. Provide Adequate Watering
Fruit trees need consistent moisture, especially during hot and dry periods. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth, and mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture. Developing a consistent watering schedule will also benefit any newly planted or existing fruit trees.
5. Prune Regularly
Pruning helps shape the tree, promote good airflow, and remove dead or diseased branches. Prune fruit trees during the dormant season to encourage healthy growth and fruit production. For guidance on how to prune your fruit trees, reach out to us!
6. Protect Against Pests and Diseases
Monitor your fruit trees for signs of pests and diseases, and take preventive measures such as spraying with horticultural oils or installing traps if necessary. Keep the area around the tree clean and free of debris to discourage pests and disease. If you plan to eat the fruit produced by your tree, be sure not to use harsh chemicals or systemic pest control products, as these will deposit harmful chemicals into the fruit, making them unhealthy to consume.
7. Thin Fruit as Needed
Thin excess fruit from your trees to promote larger, healthier fruit and prevent branches from breaking under the weight of heavy loads. It will be better, in the long run, to decrease the production of your tree rather than deal with broken branches, a tree that is under stress, or fruit that is underdeveloped due to the tree's energy being spread too thin.
We're Here to Help!
If you have additional questions about what fruit trees grow in Colorado, how to grow Colorado fruit trees, what to do about a specific issue you are experiencing, or any other plant-related concerns, reach out to us! We are happy to help answer any of your questions, and our experienced nursery staff is ready to help you tackle whatever dilemma you may be facing. You can also conuslt our Tree & Shrub Planting Guide for more information on how to plant a tree and how to provide proper care throughout the tree's initial years of growth/establishment.