Hi Jane,

A landscaper once told me that one should never plant citrus in a front yard because it's not very attractive. Is this true? Also, do lemon and lime trees get as big as orange and grapefruit trees? How closely could I dare to plant them together if I went the fruit tree route?

Lemon tree grow as big as Grapefruit trees, so I wouldn't plant them too close to each other.

Would citrus drop too much fruit and potentially be an unpleasant choice this close to the front door of the house?

I personally wouldn't plant them close to the front door, the lemon tree has thorns and drop fruits.

That's my 2 cents worth.
Jan

Jane,

I always used to think that fruit trees belonged in the back yard, but this house I'm in now has two mature orange trees along the walkway leading to the front porch. And I love them! Citrus trees are attractive year round, so I don't know how they could be considered ugly by anyone. Yes they do drop some fruit, but not so much to be a nuisance.

Passersby do help themselves sometimes to fruit, so you should consider if that would bother you. I don't mind since those trees produce more fruit than I can use anyway. At the end of the season I always end up having to pick several wheelbarrowfuls to dump in the mulch pile anyway.

There is a beautiful orange down the block from us - VERY attractive all times of the year, especially when the fruit is ripe. The bright orange of the fruit against the glossy dark green of the leaves just looks great to my eye. To me, citrus is very attractive unless it gets too much shade or is an old, old tree.

We already have a large mango in the front yard and I just planted a key lime and a lemon in our front yard, both where there wouldn't be any foot traffic nearby. I also put in a Simpson's stopper. We have more room in the front than in the back so there wasn't really any other option. I plant to please me (and the DH of course). If I'm happy (and he is) then it looks just great!

My concern with the citrus in front isn't the appearance, but the potential theft of the fruit. The mango was stripped bare a few years ago when we went out of town for the weekend. (Just for perspective, we got about 1,000 pounds of fruit off the tree two years ago.) We now have some very diligent neighbors, so we don't expect that to happen again, fingers crossed!

I would also like a cassia, but not sure where it will go yet. In addition to the previously mentioned we have areca palm, dracaena and jatropha in the front. The jatropha is a year-round bloomer, though it does get a bit thin with the leaves in late winter.

What kind of Lemon? What kind of Lime? Calamondins are moderate trees, mine is about 5' tall at 5-6 years old. Persian (Bearss) Limes stay fairly small. You can grow citrus as a hedge.

Citrus are ugly only if trimmed improperly (trim as little as possible), and if diseased or infested by leafminers. Normally, they are lovely trees. I have 44 citrus trees. I only get fruit on the ground when hubby bashes branches with the riding mower.(G)

Fruit drop/waste really irritates me. Simply pick the fruits, and/or pick up dropped fruits, and there is no problem. Don't waste them, please! They can be juiced and frozen, for use year-round.

There are few trees as pretty as a Tangerine, Orange, Grapefruit or Red Lime tree, loaded with ripe fruits, in December. They look decorated for the Holidays!

I have many potted Citrus on my patio. Having them close to the front door is great! We can pick them in our undies!

Lisa

One thing no one said, was the fragrance. When citrus is in bloom the smell is wonderful. What an inviting way to welcome guest in the front yard! :o)

I thought Id keep my fruit in back and sideyards because if birds or squirrels get to robbing me I WILL put netting on the trees and bushes(blueberries) In my opinion netting would be the ugly thing. But then I have alot of property.Also remember that the fruit and blossoms can attract bees so you may not want it to close to a walkway

I'm with everyone else on this...beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps the person who told you they were ugly really feels that way, but not everyone does. I have seen many a specimen citrus tree that is well worth displaying in a front yard. I've also seen some that were pretty unattractive, but that was usually due to poor care and improper pruning. I think you should decide whether you want citrus in YOUR front yard based on what YOU think is pretty, and what you have room for.

BTW, decorators often feature smaller citrus trees, like calamondins and kumquats, in pretty containers on patios and porches. They look charming and very "old Florida."

If you want it, go for it!

Marcia

Just found this thread.

I'm in Fort Lauderdale these days. Is there a mail-order source for the potted patio citrus trees here in Florida? I'm having trouble finding them.

Thanks!

girlsaylor

Why would you mail order citrus if you are in Ft. Lauderdale? Go into any nursery, Home Depot, Lowes, WalMart, Target, Sears garden center and you can buy all you like.

I guess I didn't explain myself well. I have mobility problems and shopping the large box stores can be difficult. Most shopping done on internet.

girlsaylor

Hi girlsaylor! Meet me at Ricky's swap and if you decide I'm "OK", we can make plans to go to the box store and check out patio citrus. Deal?
Think of what kind you want. A 3-5 gal would be a good start.
I'm in Pembroke Pines and visit my folks in Pompano.

Having lived in Fl for 28 years now, I have noticed in most area's/neighborhoods people on average have their fruit trees in the rear yards of their homes, our first home here had several different kinds of fruit trees,we soon found out all the work involved in maintaining these trees, so they would bear fruit, now we're older no more fruit trees for us, enough work with the rest of the landscaping,lawn etc. Good Luck!

Hey coffeemom,

What a lovely note, and yes, I'd love to go to the box store. I'm looking forward to the swap and I'm sure you will be more than "OK"! I would love to make some new friends here, so that's a great plan. I really can deal with potted plants only, these days, and besides, the landlord has the plantings the way she likes and it's not mine to change around.

girlsaylor