| Citrus in the Lowcountry |
The old citrus pictured here is a
Thomasville Hardy Orange
(Citrangequat) located at the
Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens
near Savannah, Georgia. Like a few
of us, it has lost some of the luster
of it's youth, but it is definitely a
testament to the feasibility of
growing citrus outside of
commercial citrus areas. This
tough old tree is thought to be over
50 years old. It survived 3 degrees
Fahrenheit, during the winter of
1985, and I am sure many other
trials and tribulations during it's
lifetime, yet it still stands proudly
and bears a crop every year.
Thomasville Hardy Orange
(Citrangequat) located at the
Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens
near Savannah, Georgia. Like a few
of us, it has lost some of the luster
of it's youth, but it is definitely a
testament to the feasibility of
growing citrus outside of
commercial citrus areas. This
tough old tree is thought to be over
50 years old. It survived 3 degrees
Fahrenheit, during the winter of
1985, and I am sure many other
trials and tribulations during it's
lifetime, yet it still stands proudly
and bears a crop every year.
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 increasing again. 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 website, and at others we will link you to, you will find how to
gain access to this information.
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 have no one on staff that can
help you make a informed selection.
There are a number of trees that have been growing in the Southeast for years. 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. 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 citrus enthusiasts 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. The advent of the World Wide Web has made such
information easily accessible, and enabled citrus enthusiasts to communicate with greater ease, sharing their
experiences and knowledge.
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 through this link to the SEPS
website, which is also listed on our resource page.
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.
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 increasing again. 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 website, and at others we will link you to, you will find how to
gain access to this information.
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 have no one on staff that can
help you make a informed selection.
There are a number of trees that have been growing in the Southeast for years. 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. 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 citrus enthusiasts 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. The advent of the World Wide Web has made such
information easily accessible, and enabled citrus enthusiasts to communicate with greater ease, sharing their
experiences and knowledge.
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 through this link to the SEPS
website, which is also listed on our resource page.
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.
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