Weatherford Gardens, Inc.

FRUIT TREE VARIETIES

APPLE

Contrary to popular belief, the following varieties of apple trees can be grown quite well in Texas, and produce outstanding crops. While most apple trees are self-fruitful, it is recommended to plant at least two different varieties for best pollination and crop set.

FUJI – From Japan. Sweet, very crisp and flavorful, excellent keeper. Dull reddish-orange skin, sometimes russet. Medium size fruit. Ripens mid-to late September. Good pollinator for other apples. Low chilling requirement – less than 500 hours. Self-fruitful.

GALA – Wonderful dessert apple from New Zealand. Crisp, nice blend of sweetness and tartness, rich flavor. Skin reddish-orange over yellow. Medium size fruit, stores well. Ripens August to September. Good pollinator for other apples. Adapted to cold and warm winter climates, will take summer heat. Low chilling requirement – less than 500 hours. Self –fruitful.

GOLDEN DELICIOUS (Yellow Delicious) – Long time favorite for its sweetness and flavor. Large golden yellow. Fine apple for all purposes. Bears young and prolific. Reliable producer, adapted to many climates. Good pollinator for other apples. Ripens late September to October. 700 hours. Self-fruitful.

GRANNY SMITH – From New Zealand. Large, green, all-purpose, late season harvest. Crisp, tart, excellent keeper. Requires long summer. Thrives in hot or cold climates. Prolonged bloom, good pollinator for other apples. Ripens August to September 600 hours. Self-fruitful.

MOLLIE’S DELICIOUS – Sweet, flavorful, aromatic. Red blush over yellow. Ripens late July to mid-August. 400 – 500 hours. Good pollinator. Self-fruitful.

PINK LADY – Hot climate apple from western Australia. Very crisp, sweet-tart, distinct flavor, good keeper. Skin reddish-pink over green. White flesh resists browning. Late October harvest. 400 – 500 hours. Self-fruitful.

RED DELICIOUS – Long time favorite. Sweet, crisp, flavorful. Ripens September to October. Large red waxy skin, white flesh. 700 hours. Needs pollinator, Yellow Delicious recommended.

ROME BEAUTY – Late blooming, a good choice where hard freezes in late spring are common. Large, round, red, good cooking apple. Heavy bearing. Ripens September to October. 700 hours. Self-fruitful.

(for container growing)

All citrus plants are susceptible to freeze damage in North Texas and must be protected in the winter.

GRAPEFRUIT

STAR RUBY – A delicious deep red Texas gourmet grapefruit. So sweet that sugar is not needed. A true heart healthy, low calorie indulgence. 

RIO RED – Among the sweetest of the Texas with a balance of ‘tang’ for taste. Rio Red grapefruit trees are vigorous, and can be relied on to produce large, yellow skinned fruits with a pretty pink blush and a delicious sweet flavor. Ripens late fall to winter. Self-pollinating.  

LEMON

EUREKA - Rounded fruit with a thick rind and sharp flavor. Ripens November to December. Self-fertile.

IMPROVED MEYERS – The favorite lemon of home gardeners. Large fruit with thin orange/yellow rind. A bit sweeter and less acidic than a true lemon (this is a lemon crossbred w/sweet orange).  

MEYER - Produces thick skinned, very juicy and less acidic fruit than standard lemons. Fruit is produced at an early age. Year round production. 

LIME

MEXICAN – Small bushy fruiting lime also known as Key lime. Has short thorns. More productive than the thornless variety. Blooms repeatedly year round. Produces year round. Self-fruitful.

THORNLESS MEXICAN - Small bushy fruiting lime also known as Key lime. Thornless. 

ORANGE

CALAMONDIN (PANAMA) – Attracts bees, butterflies and birds. Fragrant flowers, grows indoors. Needs consistent moist soil. Year round production.

KIMBROUGH SATSUMA – Fruit matures before the rind develops an orange color so occasionally sample one starting in late October to determine if they are ripe. Unlike other Satsuma fruit holds poorly on the tree after ripening and should be picked promptly. If fruit is left on the tree too long after they mature, they become puffy or pithy and loose their flavor. Ripens November to December. 

NAVEL N-33 – One of the best producing navel oranges. Virtually seedless, juicy and easy to peel. Ripens in December.  

OLINDA VALENCIA – Valencia oranges are the most popular and the 'Olinda' is the most productive with high quality juice and sugar content. Can tolerate light frost. Nearly seedless.

SATSUMA MANDARIN ‘MIHO’ – A Texas superstar plant. Has an upright but low spreading growth habit. Can survive 26 degrees for up to 3 hours. Ripens earlier that most citrus and prefers a higher alkaline soil 8.5. Fruit size 3.5” x 1.5”. The fruit changes color in late summer and should be harvested in mid to late fall. Self-fruitful. 

SATSUMA MANDARIN ‘OKITSU’ – Fruit are medium-small to medium and seedless. Orange-colored but commonly matures prior to development of good color. Rind thin, somewhat leathery; surface moderately smooth and with large and prominent oil glands; easily separable. 

SETO SATSUMA ORANGE – Has a drooping and low spreading growth habit and is more cold hardy variety of Mandarin. The leaves are more oblong compared to the variety “Miho”. It is also an early maturing citrus, the fruit changes color in late summer and should be harvested in mid to late fall. The peel on the fruit is thin and smooth making it easier to peel for consumption. Can reach 13-15’ in height. Ripens October to December. 

VARIEGATED CALAMONDIN – Needs regular watering. Prune in winter. Columnar growth habit. Not sweet to eat fresh. Year round production.

The greatest consistency in fruiting is found on apricot trees planted near buildings.

AUTUMN GLO – Late season apricot with tremendous flavor. Fruit is medium sized with good color. Ripens in August. One of the highest scoring apricot varieties to date at Dave Wilson Nursery blind fruit tastings. Self-fruitful.

CHINESE – Cold hardy, frost hardy. Recommended for difficult, spring frost-prone climates. Sets heavy crops of medium size sweet fruit. 700 hours. Self- fruitful. 

MOORPARK – Long time favorite of apricot fanciers for its exceptionally rich flavor and aroma. Medium to large fruit. Large vigorous tree. Ripens late June-July. Reliable producer. Used fresh and for canning. 600 hours. Self-fruitful. 

TILTON – No.1 apricot for canning. Excellent fresh or dried. Large, firm, rich flavor – one of the best. Widely adapted. Bears heavy, vigorous tree, late June-July. 600 hours. Self-fruitful.

MONTMORENCY – Sour – large, light red skin, yellow flesh. Perfect for cobblers, pies, etc. Extremely winter hardy and disease resistant. Very heavy bearing. Good pollinator, ripens July. 800 hours. Self-fruitful. 

STELLA – Large, nearly black, richly flavored sweet cherry similar to Bing or Lambert. Bears at young age. Good pollinator. Ripens mid-June. 700-800 hours. Self-fruitful. 

SWEETHEART – Large, bright red fruit with good flavor. Ripens mid-July. Self-fruitful.

Need consistent moisture, good drainage. May freeze to ground.

BROWN TURKEY – This variety has the longest ripening season. Although it is not quite as cold hardy as Celeste, it will, if injured by a freeze, produce fair-to-good crops on sucker wood the next season. This is an advantage in areas troubled by late spring frosts. The fruit is medium to large, with a reddish-brown skin tinged with purple. The pulp is reddish-pink and of good quality. It is subject to cracking in wet weather and has a larger eye than Celeste and hence will sour more quickly. The fruit is excellent for making home preserves. Begins bearing mid-June. 100 hours. Self-fruitful.

CELESTE - This variety is small, brown to purple in color and adapted to all areas of Texas. It is the most cold hardy and sweetest of all Texas fig varieties. The tree is large, vigorous and very productive. The main crop ripens in mid-June. The fruit has a tightly closed eye which inhibits the entry of the dried fruit beetle. The fruit does not have excessive souring on the tree. It has excellent fresh dessert quality with a rich sweet flavor. It is an excellent processing fig, either frozen or processed as fig preserves. Do not prune mature Celeste trees heavily because this can reduce the crop. 100 hours. Self-fruitful. 

TEXAS BLUE GIANT – This fig is a huge fig with attractive purplish skin and a delicious melting amber flesh. The fruit is very sweet, with an ever bearing habit. Good producer. A winner in the south, this late season fig thrives in Texas and other hot desert areas. This fig takes plenty of full sun and nice hot summers, but do keep it moist. Zones 6-10. 100 hours. Self-fruitful.

TEXAS EVERBEARING –(A Brown Turkey variety) This is a medium-sized, purplish-brown fig adapted to central and east Texas. It is the most common variety in central Texas. The tree is vigorous, very large and productive. The early crop ripens in May: the main crop ripens in late June and continues to ripen into August. The fruit has a short, plump stem and moderately closed eye which reduces fruit souring on the tree. The fruit has pink flesh and is nearly seedless. It has a sweet, rich flavor. Early crop fruit is sometimes 2 inches in diameter. 100 hours. Self-fruitful.

Attractive easy to grow 15’-20’ tree with shiny leaves, hardy, drought-tolerant, virtually pest and disease free. Requires long, hot summer. Very low chilling requirement. Fruit has sweet apple flavor, when candied or dried resembles dates. 

CONTORTED JUJUBE – Interesting ornamental form, twisted, contorted branching. Round shaped edible fruits similar to Li. Fruits reddish-brown when ripe, eaten firm and crunchy or room-dried to date-like chewy sweetness. Early Fall harvest. Partly self-fruitful, better harvest if pollinated by Lang. 

LANG – 1 1/2” Pear-shaped fruits are reddish-brown, dry, wrinkled, sweet and chewy when fully ripe in early fall. Ripens later than Li. More upright grower than Li. Let fruits ripen on tree. Pollinated by Li. 

LI – 1 ¾” Round shaped fruits are larger than Lang. Reddish-brown, dry and wrinkled, sweet and chewy when fully ripe in early Fall. Ripens earlier than Lang. Unlike Lang, can be picked yellow green and will finish ripening off the tree. More branching structure than Lang. Hardy to -10’F. Partially self-fruitful or pollinate with Lang.

The nectarine is fuzzless mutation of a peach and not a cross between a peach and a plum.

FLAVOR TOP – Large, oval, firm, red over yellow freestone of excellent quality. One of the highest scoring nectarines in Dave Wilson Nursery fruit tastings. One of the very best! Ripens early to mid July. Large, showy blossoms. 650 hours. Self-fruitful. Firm smooth texture. Highly productive and vigorous. Good shipper. 

SUNGLO – A freestone variety that is medium sized, yellow fleshed and red skinned. Fruit has an exceptional flavor. Ripens early July. 850 hours. Self-fruitful. 

SURE CROP – Attractive skin is lush red over white. Vigorous, productive variety. A freestone variety and fuzz free. Ripens in mid-August. Hardy zones 5-9. Self-fruitful.

Approximate order of ripening:

PARKER COUNTY PEACH – Any variety of peach grown in Parker County. 

BELLE OF GEORGIA – Large, white flesh with delicious flavor. Heavy producer. 800 hours. Ripens August. Freestone. Very sweet, low acid. Self-fruitful. 

ELBERTA – Famous yellow freestone. Large classic, rich, peach flavor. High scoring in taste tests. Use fresh, canned or cooked. Ripens late July- August. 800 hours. Self- fruitful. 

HALE HAVEN – J.H.Hale/South Haven cross. Medium to large size all purpose fruit. Yellow freestone flesh is juicy, sweet, low in acid with excellent flavor. Mid-season harvest, early to mid July about 2 weeks before Elberta. Winter and frost hardy. 900 hours. Self-fruitful.  

HARVESTER – Medium to large yellow semi-freestone. Fine texture, acidic, good quality. Resistant to bacterial leaf spot. Uniform ripening. Popular with commercial growers. Ripens mid to late June. 750 hours. Self-fruitful. 

INDIAN BLOOD CLING – Large, late season canning peach. Red-skinned, red flesh, rich flavor. Blooms late, sets heavy crops. Ripens late July-August. 800 hours. Self-fruitful.  

INDIAN FREE – Taste test winner, and one of the all-time highest rated fruits at Dave Wilson Nursery fruit tastings. Large all purpose freestone, firm crimson and cream colored flesh. Highly aromatic with a rich, distinctive flavor. Highly resistant to peach leaf curl. Late season, ripens late August. 700 hours. Self-fruitful but pollinator recommended. 

J.H. HALE – Old variety, still one of the best. Very large, firm, superb flavor. Yellow freestone, all purpose. Ripens late July into August. Excellent frost hardiness. 800 hours. Self-fruitful but pollinator recommended. 

LORING – Taste test winner. Superb large yellow freestone. Excellent flavor and texture, low acid. Tolerant to adverse spring weather and bacteriosis. Requires little or no thinning. Excellent for home orchard. Disease resistant. Ripens mid to late July. 800 hours. Self-fruitful.  

RANGER – Medium size, full-flavored, high quality yellow freestone. One of the best late-blooming/frost hardy peaches. Ranger trees are extra vigorous and have an abundance of dark green foliage. Ripens mid to late June. All-purpose. Heavy producer. 900 hours. Self-fruitful.  

REDSKIN – Red haven/Elberta cross. Excellent quality, large, all-purpose yellow freestone. Frost hardy. Disease resistant. Ripens late July into August. 800 hours. Self-fruitful. 

TEXSTAR – A release from Texas A&M University. Medium to large yellow semi-freestone. Skin has a limited amount of fuzz and an attractive red blush. Firm yellow flesh with good flavor and texture. Sets heavy crops, thin fruit for larger size. An early, frost hardy variety that ripens in June. 450 hours. Self-fruitful.

CHOJURO – Golden brown skin. Crisp like an apple when ripe. Harvest mid August. 450 hours. Pollinated by Hosui, Shinko or other pear. 

HOSUI – Consistently rated the best tasting Asian pear at Dave Wilson Nursery fruit tastings. Large, juicy, sweet, flavorful, refreshing, crisp like an apple. Brownish-orange skin. Harvest early to mid August. 450 hours. Pollinated by Shinko, Chojuro or Bartlett. 

SHINKO – Excellent quality. Juicy, sweet, flavorful, refreshing, crisp like an apple. Golden brown skin. Late ripening, harvest late August into September. 450 hours. Pollinated by Hosui, Chojuro or Bartlett. 

SHINSEIKI – Juicy, sweet, refreshing, crisp like an apple. Easy to grow. Keeps well. Harvest late July into August. Bright yellow skin. Vigorous, heavy bearing. 450 hours. Self-fruitful.

SHINSUI – Medium size, light yellow-brown skin. Fine textured, crisp, crunchy, juicy, flavorful, very sweet. Harvest early August. 400 hours. Pollinated by other Asian pear.

AYERS – One of the highest quality pears. Blight resistant. Flesh almost free of grit cells. Needs pollinator. 

BARTLETT – Worlds most popular pear. Ripens August to September, high quality, tolerates hot summers. Large, smooth, waxy, yellow skin. White sweet flesh. A vigorous grower. 800 hours. Self-fruitful but does better with a pollinator. 

FAN-STIL – Medium, bell shaped. Creamy yellow skin with slight red blush. Crisp, juicy, white flesh. Vigorous, very upright growth. Bears consistently. Ripens August. 500 hours. 

KIEFFER – Large. Greenish-yellow skin with red blush. Course, crisp, juicy white flesh. Resists fire blight, tolerates hot climates. Stores well, great for canning/cooking.Dependable crops. Ripens October to November. 400 hours. Self-fruitful. 

LE CONTE – Medium, bell shaped. Creamy yellow skin with slight blush. Course, crisp, juicy white flesh. Vigorous upright tree. Bears consistently. Ripens October to November. 500 hours. Needs pollinator. 

MOONGLOW – Large fruit, excellent quality for fresh use or canning. Productive tree, vigorous upright grower. Brownish-green skin, resembles Bartlett in shape. Soft flesh, moderately juicy and nearly free of grit cells. Sub-acid, mild flavor. Very resistant to fire blight. Ripens in August. 700 hours. Does better with a pollinator but is a good pollinator for other pears.  

ORIENT - Very large, beautiful, nearly round fruits with shiny yellow skin and red blush. Flesh firm, sweet and juicy with mild flavor. Used mainly for canning but also eaten fresh. Fireblight resistant. Large vigorous tree, heavy producer. Ripens September. 350 hours. Needs pollinator (Kieffer or Moonglow).

FUYU – Apple Persimmon. Medium size, flat shape, still crunchy when ripe. Reddish-orange skin. Bears young, heavy producer. Non-astringent, can be eaten before it is soft. Good for cool or hot climate. Hardy, attractive tree. Practically pest free. Beautiful fall color. Fall harvest. 200 hours. Self-fruitful. 

GIANT FUYU – Larger, not so flat as Fuyu. Crunchy when ripe like Fuyu. Sweet, flavorful, non-astringent. Easy to grow, cool or hot climates. Fall harvest. 200 hours. Self-fruitful.

The large fruited European-type plums commonly found at supermarkets are not well adapted here.

BRUCE – Large, red skin, red flesh, delicious flavor. Bears at young age. Ripens mid May to June. 800 hours. Needs pollinator, (Methley). 

METHLY – Juicy, sweet, amber flesh, mild flavor. Deep purple skin. Medium size. Excellent for fresh eating or jelly. Ripens early June. Attractive tree. Heavy bearing and vigorous. Extremely cold hardy. 250 hours. Self-fruitful, excellent pollinator. 

MORRIS – Large, round. Deep purple skin. Flesh is attractive bright red, crisp, firm and outstanding flavor. Excellent production and disease resistance. Ripens mid June. A Texas A&M selection. 800 hours. Needs pollinator, (Methley).  

SANTA ROSA - Large, reddish-purple skin. Amber flesh tinged red. Juicy, tangy, flavorful. Ripens mid to late June. 300 hours. Self-fruitful. 

PLUMCOT

BLUE SATIN – Combines plums spritely flavor with apricots sweetness. Large reddish blue skin and golden flesh. Fruit is firm, very sweet, simply delicious. Beautiful blossoms in spring, fruit ripens in mid June. Productive, vigorous tree. Hardy to 15 degrees. Zones 5-9. Pollinate with a plum (Methley or Santa Rosa). 

PLUOT 

DAPPLE DANDY – Taste test winner at Dave Wilson Nursery. Creamy white and red-fleshed freestone with wonderful plum-apricot flavor. Skin greenish-yellow with red spots, turning to a maroon and yellow dapple. Ripens in August. 400-500 hours. Pollinated by Flavor Supreme Pluot or Santa Rosa Plum. Pat. No. 9254 (Zaiger Genetics) 

FLAVOR SUPREME – Taste test winner. Plum-apricot hybrid with sweet, richly flavored, firm red flesh. Greenish-maroon mottled skin. Ripens June. 700-800 hours Pollinated by Santa Rosa Plum or other Pluot. Pat. No. 6763 (Zaiger Genetics)

AMBROSIA – Fantastically huge fruits, up to three times the size of Wonderful. Pale pink skin, purple sweet-tart juice, similar to Wonderful. Long lived, any soil. Inland or Coastal climate. 150 hours. Self-fruitful. 

WONDERFUL – Large, purple-red fruit with delicious, tangy flavor. Best quality in hot inland climate. Bright orange bloom and ornamental foliage. Long lived, any soil. 150 hours. Self-fruitful. 

Please call the nursery at 817-594-6055 for availability!