| Citrus in the Lowcountry |
| The picture to the right is a young Satsuma mandarin (about 10 years old) growing at our home. Satsuma is probably the most satisfactory sweet citrus for most homeowners in the coastal South. A relatively small tree growing 8' to 15' (size is determined, in part, on the rootstock used), with a weeping habit. Trees are productive, and the fruit is sweet, easy to peel, and has a low seed count (normally 0-6 seed). |
The attractive evergreen foliage, fragrant blooms, and colorful, edible, fruit, give citrus an allure that is hard for
many gardeners to resist. Years ago, before the development of transportation systems that enabled growers to sell
their fruit to northern markets, and prior to the growth of the citrus industry in Florida, California, and some gulf
states, oranges were commonly grown in the coastal areas of the Southeastern United States. Of course they were
periodically killed by cold, but quickly replanted, because home grown citrus was a valuable supplement to what
was, by today's standards, a bland and nutrient poor diet.
Interest in growing citrus outside of the normal commercial citrus growing regions is becoming increasingly popular.
Many residents of the Southeast, some newly planted themselves, are using hardy citrus around their homes as
fruiting landscape plants. Trees are purchased from nurseries, garden centers, ordered through the mail, or, in
some cases, grown from seed or cuttings.
In warm summer areas, growing citrus is not as difficult as you might imagine - especially coastal regions with mild
winters. Gardeners have developed innovative methods of protecting their in-ground plants during cold snaps, and
advice abounds through books, on-line, and through others with similar interests. In areas where winters prohibit
growing citrus in the ground, container culture is possible. If you would like to know more about home citrus culture,
there are many informative resources, such as websites and books, that provide a wealth of information on plant
selection, planting, care and cold protection. At our "Links", we have provided the web addresses of many
interesting and informative sites.
A word of advice, before you run out a buy a citrus tree, be sure to learn what types are suitable for your situation,
and how to plant and care for them. Many citrus are available that will not grow well outside the citrus belt, or, if
they grow, will not perform satisfactorily. Also, attention should be given to such factors as ripening dates,
rootstock, etc.. You should become familiar with such factors, or rely on a knowledgeable person to guide you in
your selection. Unless you know someone who can help, I suggest you learn a little about them yourself, so that
you will not be disappointed with your choice. Many garden centers carry citrus, but few have someone on staff that
can help you make a informed selection.
It is sometimes surprising to find citrus trees growing in the most unlikely places. In fact, there is a bearing
grapefruit in Columbia, SC, that was planted as a seed around 20 years ago, and there are others scattered around
the warmer regions of the Southeast, and Gulf states. I know of maybe a dozen personally and I am sure there are
many others that I am unaware of. We are interested in knowing about any citrus that have proven particularly
hardy, and have survived without a lot of special care. If you are aware of such a tree, we would like to know about
it, and, if possible, get a photo or two.
There are a number of adventurous individuals who have been experimenting with the more cold hardy varieties for
years. Their efforts have increased our knowledge about growing cold hardy varieties, and embolden those of us
who thought citrus were just for commercial citrus growing regions. We all know that the advent of the internet has
made information easily accessible and communications almost too easy. Citrus enthusiasts and other gardeners
from around the world now share their knowledge and experience with ease.
In 2003, the Southeastern Palm Association (which includes many members with a strong interested in hardy citrus),
got together at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, SC, for what we call the Southeastern Citrus Expo. This
event has continued annually at different locations around the southeast. At the Citrus Expo, speakers offer
information about citrus growing, participants bring their fruit for a citrus fruit judging (where you can enter your own
home grown fruit), raffles, and where citrus trees and other unusual plants are offered for sale. This event is open
to anyone interested in citrus. You will find more about the Southeastern Citrus Expo on our home page and the
Southeastern Palm Society website.
Along with other plants, we propagate and offer for sale a number of citrus, many which are not normally available in
the nursery trade. We list many of them here at our website. Email or call if you don't see what you are interested
in.
many gardeners to resist. Years ago, before the development of transportation systems that enabled growers to sell
their fruit to northern markets, and prior to the growth of the citrus industry in Florida, California, and some gulf
states, oranges were commonly grown in the coastal areas of the Southeastern United States. Of course they were
periodically killed by cold, but quickly replanted, because home grown citrus was a valuable supplement to what
was, by today's standards, a bland and nutrient poor diet.
Interest in growing citrus outside of the normal commercial citrus growing regions is becoming increasingly popular.
Many residents of the Southeast, some newly planted themselves, are using hardy citrus around their homes as
fruiting landscape plants. Trees are purchased from nurseries, garden centers, ordered through the mail, or, in
some cases, grown from seed or cuttings.
In warm summer areas, growing citrus is not as difficult as you might imagine - especially coastal regions with mild
winters. Gardeners have developed innovative methods of protecting their in-ground plants during cold snaps, and
advice abounds through books, on-line, and through others with similar interests. In areas where winters prohibit
growing citrus in the ground, container culture is possible. If you would like to know more about home citrus culture,
there are many informative resources, such as websites and books, that provide a wealth of information on plant
selection, planting, care and cold protection. At our "Links", we have provided the web addresses of many
interesting and informative sites.
A word of advice, before you run out a buy a citrus tree, be sure to learn what types are suitable for your situation,
and how to plant and care for them. Many citrus are available that will not grow well outside the citrus belt, or, if
they grow, will not perform satisfactorily. Also, attention should be given to such factors as ripening dates,
rootstock, etc.. You should become familiar with such factors, or rely on a knowledgeable person to guide you in
your selection. Unless you know someone who can help, I suggest you learn a little about them yourself, so that
you will not be disappointed with your choice. Many garden centers carry citrus, but few have someone on staff that
can help you make a informed selection.
It is sometimes surprising to find citrus trees growing in the most unlikely places. In fact, there is a bearing
grapefruit in Columbia, SC, that was planted as a seed around 20 years ago, and there are others scattered around
the warmer regions of the Southeast, and Gulf states. I know of maybe a dozen personally and I am sure there are
many others that I am unaware of. We are interested in knowing about any citrus that have proven particularly
hardy, and have survived without a lot of special care. If you are aware of such a tree, we would like to know about
it, and, if possible, get a photo or two.
There are a number of adventurous individuals who have been experimenting with the more cold hardy varieties for
years. Their efforts have increased our knowledge about growing cold hardy varieties, and embolden those of us
who thought citrus were just for commercial citrus growing regions. We all know that the advent of the internet has
made information easily accessible and communications almost too easy. Citrus enthusiasts and other gardeners
from around the world now share their knowledge and experience with ease.
In 2003, the Southeastern Palm Association (which includes many members with a strong interested in hardy citrus),
got together at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, SC, for what we call the Southeastern Citrus Expo. This
event has continued annually at different locations around the southeast. At the Citrus Expo, speakers offer
information about citrus growing, participants bring their fruit for a citrus fruit judging (where you can enter your own
home grown fruit), raffles, and where citrus trees and other unusual plants are offered for sale. This event is open
to anyone interested in citrus. You will find more about the Southeastern Citrus Expo on our home page and the
Southeastern Palm Society website.
Along with other plants, we propagate and offer for sale a number of citrus, many which are not normally available in
the nursery trade. We list many of them here at our website. Email or call if you don't see what you are interested
in.
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