Tropical

These are but a few possible candidates for survival. An excellant source for different and alternative fruit is the California Rare Tropical Fruit Growers association. They have a large listing of suppliers of just about every fruit and food bush/tree that you can think of, as well as online postings in the care, growing, and maintenance or each.

Offered by Steve.

Avacadoes

The problem with avocadoes is that they are not very tolerant to wind, though will grow in shady areas. The Mexican varieties can tolerate temperatures as low as 19° F. They are a dense evergreen tree upwards of 80 feet in height, though seedlings take anywhere from 8 to 20 years to produce, grafted ones maybe 2 years.The leaves are high in oils and slow to compost. Leaf and seed extracts have been used for a variety of medical applications, including treatment of diarrhea and dysentery and as an antibiotic.

 

Bananas

Hardiest varieties stop growing when the temperature drops below 53° F. Growth of the plant begins to slow down at about 80° F and stop entirely when the temperature reaches 100° F. Bananas require wind protection for best appearance and maximum yield. They are also susceptible to being blown over.

 

Currants

Currants can withstand wind and like shade. Bushes grown from seed bear when two or three years old, bset for juices jellies and purees. The red and white varieties are much better tasting than the black. Best grown in tempearate zones.

 

Feijoa

Feijoa or pineapple guava is a slow-growing evergreen shrub that can reach 15 ft. high and 15 ft. wide. When planted close together, the shrubs make a nice hedge, screen, or windbreak, generally adapted to areas where temperatures stay above 15° F. Tolerates partial shade.

 

Guava

Guava is an evergreen, shallow-rooted shrubs or small trees to 33 ft. The adaptability of the guava makes it a serious weed tree in some tropical areas. Not frost tolerant. Older trees, killed to the ground, have sent up new shoots which fruited 2 years later.

 

Jaboticaba

Jaboticaba is a slow growing large shrub or small, bushy tree. It reaches a height of 10 - 15 feet and will take full sun or some shade and are small enough fit into many parts of the garden landscape. They are fairly wind tolerant but do not like salty sea air, keep above 24°F.

 

Jujube

Jujube is a small, deciduous tree. The wood is very hard and strong. Originated in China where they have been cultivated for more than 4,000 years. Can withstand temperatures to about -28° F. Very high vitamin C content. Besides eating, most popular uses is as a tea for sore throat.

 

Miracle

Miracle fruit is an evergreen bush or tree growing to 18 ft. in its native habitat, but rarely to 5 ft. otherwise. It is said to do best in partial shade. Intolerant of frost . Although not sweet itself, when a single fruit is eaten and the fleshy pulp allowed to coat the taste buds of the tongue and inside of the mouth, an extraordinary effect occurs. The fruit will now allow one to eat a slice of lemon or lime without wincing. The marvelous aroma and inherent sweetness of the citrus remains but the sourness is almost completely covered. The effect remains for some 30 minutes or more.

 

Olives

Olives are long-lived with a life expectancy of 500 years. The trees are also tenacious, easily sprouting back even when chopped to the ground. Quite wind-tolerant. Green fruit is damaged at about 28°.

 

Pineapple

Pineapple is a tropical or near-tropical plant, but will usually tolerate brief exposures to 28°F, and is a herbaceous perennial, 2-1/2 to 5 ft. high with a spread of 3 to 4 ft. Prefers sun though shade resistant, pretty wind resistant.

 

Pomegranate

Pomegranate will grow and flower in part shade, severely injured by temperatures below 12°F, tolerant of moderately saline water, can take considerable drought.

 

Raisin Tree

Raisin Tree is native to partially shaded sites in China, cold-hardy to about -10° F, wind hardiness unknown, the "fruit" though eaten, can be made into a beverage called "tree honey" that is said to neutralize hangovers.

 

Sapodilla

Sapodilla is an attractive upright, slow-growing, long-lived evergreen tree, It is strong and wind-resistant. Can be killed by 30° F. It is highly drought resistant and approaches the date palm in its tolerance of soil salinity. Besides the edible fruit, the bark of the tree has been used as a chewing gum base.

 

Tamarind

Tamarind becomes a fairly large tree, so this should be kept in mind when planting out the tree. Prefers full sun and is highly wind-resistant with strong, supple branches. Not very frost tolerant.