The Top 11 Fruit Trees That Look Great in Suburban Landscapes

Anyone who has seen a suburban avenue of cherry trees in springtime knows that fruit trees can be incredibly stunning. Few trees are more floriferous and have such beautiful shapes. The size and shape of many fruit trees fit excellently into the suburban landscape. 

Fruit trees require some maintenance to keep them looking their best. But, if you tend to them well, the reward will be worth the effort. Beautiful flowers in spring and colorful fruit in summer and fall will bring tons of personality to your yard. 

Of course, not all fruit trees are nice to look at. Some are more functional than fashionable. I’d love to tell you about some of my favorite fruit trees that are both useful and attractive for suburban landscapes. First, let’s take a minute to go over some planting tips.

Honeycrisp Apple Tree

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Honeycrisp Apple Tree

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Wonderful Pomegranate

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Pomegranate Tree

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Hass Avocado Tree

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Hass Avocado Tree

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Planting a Fruit Tree

Some key planting practices will help your tree get off to a strong start. Getting your plant in the ground in the right place with the right soil will go a long way toward a vigorous and productive tree.

Here are my tips for giving your plant the best start:

1. Choose a tree that is well suited to your climate. Most have specific ‘chill hours.’ This is the time they need to spend at temperatures of 45°F (7°C) or lower. A plant with a number of chill hours that is close to what your region receives will perform best in that area. If you live in Zone 9, don’t choose a variety that needs 800 chill hours. Likewise, in Zone 4, don’t choose one that only needs 200. 

Choosing a Location

2. Choose a spot that receives at least six hours of sun daily. With very few exceptions, full sun is the preferred exposure for these plants. 

3. Dig a hole as deep as and at least twice the width of your root ball. This will loosen the soil in the immediate area, making it easier for those roots to move in and get established. 

4. Give yourself some space from sidewalks, buildings, and other large plants. You don’t want roots pushing up your driveway. 

Soil and pH

5. Unless you have very rich soil, it’s a good idea to add some organic matter at planting time. If you have heavy soil, add materials that will help loosen it up, like coarse sand or compost. Compost and manure contain nutrients that break down over time, and will save you money on fertilizer. Worm castings assist with nutrient transfer and water retention. A soil test is a great idea for times prior to soil prep.

Most of these plants have a preference for pH, and some need specific minerals, like iron and magnesium, in higher concentrations. A soil test will give you an idea of what to add to make sure it gets what it needs from the start. 

Planting and Post-Care

6. Position your tree so that the top of the root ball is even with the surrounding earth. Don’t sink it down into the ground. Different species have different specifications, but they don’t vary by much. 

7. Water deeply and frequently for the first few weeks. As long as the soil has good drainage, you’re unlikely to have issues with rot at this stage, and your plant needs moist soil to grow. 

8. Don’t forget to fertilize. Most fruit trees are heavy feeders. If you want a bountiful harvest, you’ll need to give them the food they use to make it. 

9. Keep up with pruning to create an open crown and strong branches that will support a heavy load. The first year your tree bears fruit, it’s best to cut most, if not all of it off to allow the plant to focus on growing stronger. Remove crossing branches and water spouts yearly to keep them strong and sturdy.

Now, let’s look at some beautiful fruit trees for your suburban landscape!

Plum ‘Weeping Santa Rosa’

	botanical name Prunus salicina x ‘Weeping Santa Rosa’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8’-10’
	hardiness zones 5-9

I adore trees with a weeping habit. It’s a rarity to find one that also flowers and bears fruit! ‘Weeping Santa Rosa’ plum ticks all the boxes. It starts the year as a fountain of small, white blossoms. These develop into attractive red plums that are sweet and flavorful. 

‘Weeping Santa Rosa’ plums ripen in early fall. This variety only needs 200-400 chill hours, so it’s great for Zones 8 and 9, where most plums won’t produce much. They are self-fertile, so you can plant just one and still have juicy plums. Training this plant into its most appealing weeping form takes some work, but it’s well worth the effort.

Apple ‘Honeycrisp™’

	botanical name Malus domestica ‘Honeycrisp™’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12’-18’
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Honeycrisp™’ apples are some of the most popular fruit trees for suburban landscapes. Sweet, juicy, and refreshing, they have great texture and are big and beautiful to look at. They store well, too, which is a bonus. These need a significant number of chill hours, between 800 and 1000. This is a great one for cool-climate gardens. 

In mid-spring, your ‘Honeycrisp™’ will produce sweet-smelling, white blossoms. Late September will be harvest time. Apple trees have beautiful fall foliage. After you harvest the apples, the leaves will begin to turn shades of yellow, orange, and red before brown. This is an attractive tree with a substantial, dome-shaped crown. 

Peach ‘Golden Jubilee’

	botanical name Prunus persica ‘Golden Jubilee’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 15’-25’
	hardiness zones 5-8

Peach trees are wonderful in spring. Their pretty pink blossoms have a honeyed floral scent and are attractive to bees. ‘Golden Jubilee’ is a unique variety because it has excellent cold-tolerance and high chill hours (about 800). This variety of peach grows surprisingly well in cooler climates. 

‘Golden Jubilee’ produces freestone peaches with smooth, juicy, sweet flesh. It’s good for eating fresh or cooking. I highly recommend trying a peach straight off the tree. Sun-warmed, they are just about the most delicious thing I can think of. This variety is self-fertile, and the peaches ripen in mid-summer. 

Pear ‘Red Sensation Bartlett’

	botanical name Pyrus communis ‘Red Sensation Bartlett’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12’-20’
	hardiness zones 4-8

A ripe pear might just be my favorite fruit. The flavor and texture, paired with peak juiciness, you just can’t beat it! ‘Red Sensation Bartlett’ is delicious and gorgeous. It has an incredible spring bloom, producing large, dense clusters of fragrant white flowers. Pear trees are truly stunning. 

Bartlett pears require about 500-800 chill hours, which is a nice intermediate range. They are not self-fertile, so you’ll want to plant another variety of pear nearby. The fruits ripen in early fall, turning from golden to ruby red. The flesh is smooth and sweet and very juicy. Prune your pear tree every year for optimal production. 

Fig ‘Celeste’

	botanical name Ficus carica ‘Celeste’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 5’-10’
	hardiness zones 6-8

Fig trees have attractive foliage and produce sweet, tender fruits. ‘Celeste’ is also a small plant, reaching only ten feet at maturity, so it’s easy to harvest and care for. It only requires 100 chill hours, so it grows well in warm climates as well as colder ones. 

‘Celeste’ figs are large with reddish-brown skin and sweet pink flesh. They ripen in mid-summer. This tree is great for smaller spaces where a larger one would overwhelm or outgrow its space. It’s a good producer and has great pest resistance. 

Satsuma ‘Owari’

	botanical name Citrus reticulata ‘Owari’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 10’-15’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Here in Florida, citrus is king. If your kids or you love cuties, then an ‘Owari’ satsuma mandarin fruit tree is the perfect choice for your suburban landscape. It’s low-maintenance and drought-resistant once established and bears a ton of fruit. The satsumas are small, super sweet, seedless, and easy to peel. The tree is compact with dense, glossy, evergreen foliage. 

This tree doesn’t require chill hours and isn’t cold-hardy. However, in Zones 8 and 9, it will need some winter protection. Plant it in a spot that provides shelter from the wind. 

In the fall, mulch around the base to help insulate the soil and, if possible, cover it in the event of a freeze. Some frost is fine, but too much will kill a significant amount of foliage and smaller branches. In colder zones, keep it in a container and prune it diligently to keep it manageable. Then bring your tree in before temperatures consistently dip below 50°F (10°C).

Banana ‘Florida Variegated’

	botanical name Musa ‘Florida’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 10’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Banana trees have the prettiest tropical foliage, and they practically take care of themselves. If you live in a warm climate, this plant will be a beautiful addition to the landscape. ‘Florida Variegated’ is a striking variety with boldly variegated green and white leaves. It’s very showy.

The foliage isn’t the only variegated part of this plant; the fruits are, too! These small and very sweet bananas are great for desserts. The ‘Nono’ variety is similar, but the variegation is green and pink. Pair them together for some fantastic tropical foliage. 

Pomegranate ‘Wonderful’

	botanical name Punica granatum ‘Wonderful’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8’-20’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Pomegranates are rich in symbolism, and their fruits are simply gorgeous. Large, plump, and brilliant red, they look wonderful in your garden. They are shrubby, and you can maintain them at eight feet tall if you like. A row of them makes a breathtaking hedge. 

Pomegranate trees are self-fertile, so you can plant just one if you prefer. They only need about 150 chill hours, so they are great for Southern yards. ‘Wonderful’ bears large, apple-red fruits that are deep burgundy inside. It flowers in spring, producing pretty orange flowers. 

Cherry ‘Rainier’

	botanical name Prunus avium ‘Rainier’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20’-30’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Cherry trees are some of the showiest spring bloomers. So much so that there are many strictly ornamental varieties. Some of these flower so profusely that you can barely see the branches behind the blossoms. ‘Rainier’ is an edible cherry; it produces mild, sweet fruits with low acidity. They are yellow and blush with red as they ripen.

‘Rainer’ cherry requires 700 chill hours, so it’s great for cool climates. It’s not self-fertile, so you’ll want to plant another variety of cherry nearby if you want fruit. This is a nice-sized tree, at 15 feet tall, it fits in just about anywhere. 

Avocado ‘Hass’

	botanical name Persea americana ‘Hass’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 15’-20’
	hardiness zones 9-11

When it comes to avocados, ‘Hass’ is the gold standard. Small fruits are creamy and flavorful with a buttery texture. ‘Hass’ is not a cold-hardy avocado, so north of Zone 9, you’ll have to grow it as a patio plant. They work well in containers, though, so if you love avocados, I say go for it! 

‘Hass’ is a type A avocado. They are self-pollinating, but you’ll get a better yield if you plant a type B tree nearby for cross-pollination. This is a larger tree, reaching about 20 feet tall, and has attractive foliage and smooth gray bark. 

Mango ‘Glenn’

	botanical name Mangifera indica ‘Glenn’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 15’-30’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Mangoes are so sweet and delicious. It’s no wonder so many gardeners plant them in the South. ‘Glenn’ is a Florida native and a medium—to large-sized plant with dense, attractive foliage. The fruits are oblong with smooth, sweet flesh. They have none of the fibers that can make a mango difficult to eat.